Former ACES Associate Dean of Research Neal Merchen dies
Neal Merchen, professor emeritus of animal sciences and former associate dean of research and director of the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, died on June 24 of Parkinson’s disease. He was 74.
Merchen joined the Department of Animal Sciences faculty in 1981. During nearly 37 years at Illinois, he served as professor of animal sciences, head of the Department of Animal Sciences, and associate dean of research and director of the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station. He was also part of the Division of Nutritional Sciences.
After serving as acting and interim head beginning in 2001, Merchen was appointed head of the Department of Animal Sciences in 2003. He led the department for more than a decade before becoming associate dean of research and director of the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station in 2012, a role he held until his retirement in 2017.
An internationally respected animal nutrition scientist, Merchen advanced understanding of gastrointestinal fermentation, protein and amino acid digestion, and the use of agricultural byproducts in livestock diets. His research later expanded to companion animal nutrition, evaluating protein sources and dietary fiber for use in dog and cat foods.
Over the course of his career, he authored nearly 130 articles in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to multiple books, and advised 18 master's and doctoral students. His work was recognized with numerous honors from the U. of I. and the American Society of Animal Science, including the American Feed Industry Association Award for Ruminant Nutrition Research and the Corbin Award for Research in Companion Animal Biology.
"Neal dedicated his career to advancing animal science while strengthening the research enterprise of our college," said Dean Germán Bollero. "As a researcher, educator, mentor, and leader, he helped shape generations of students and faculty while fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration. We are grateful for his dedication to ACES, and he will be missed."
Merchen earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology and a master’s degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln before completing his doctorate in dairy science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1981.
His obituary is available online. A public visitation will be held Saturday, July 11, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by a brief service, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Road, Urbana.