Damon Von Catron was born September 12, 1915 in Kokomo, Indiana. He received his B.S. (1938) in agriculture and agriculture education from Purdue University, an M.S. (1945) in animal husbandry and animal nutrition from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D (1948) in animal nutrition and physiological chemistry from Iowa State College (University).

Dr. Catron began his career working on his family’s farm in central Indiana until he attended Purdue University. After receiving his B.S., he spent two years as a Vocational Agriculture Instructor (1938-1940) at the New Castle High School in New Castle, Indiana. Dr. Catron accepted a position as an Extension Livestock Specialist (1940-1941) at Purdue University. He then worked as a Poultry Specialist (1942) at the Ralston Purina Co. in St. Louis, Missouri. Next, Dr. Catron worked at the University of Illinois as an Associate (1943-1944) in Animal Husbandry. He accepted a position at Honeggers and Co. in Forrest, Illinois as an Animal Nutritionist (1944-1945). Dr. Catron joined the faculty at Iowa State College (University) as an Assistant Professor (1945-1947) in the Animal Science Department; he was soon promoted to Associate Professor (1958-1952) and Professor (1953-1960). Dr. Catron left Iowa State to become Vice President of Research and Development (1960-1964) for Walnut Grove Products Co. in Atlantic, Iowa. He then accepted a position as Director of Life Sciences Research (1964-1966) at W. R. Grace and Co. in Clarksville, Maryland. Dr. Catron joined the faculty of the University of Missouri as Chair (1966-1967) of the Food Science and Nutrition Department.

Dr. Catron’s main areas of research included animal nutrition in the fields of antibiotics, vitamin B12, trace minerals, protein and amino acids requirements, digestive enzyme systems, effects of nutrients, and additive factors influencing feed intake. For excellence in this field, he received the American Feed Manufacturers Association Award (1953) and the Distillers Research Council Distinguished Nutritionist Award (1964). Dr. Catron’s reputation also allowed him to become an advisor and consultant to international universities, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, and feed manufacturers to improve feed nutrition and growth results. Dr. Catron died November 4, 1967.