Born September 14, 1916, on a farm in Downs, Kansas, Omer G. Voss grew up in Phillips County where his father worked for the Sheriff’s Department. He attended grade school in Long Island and high school in Phillipsburg, Kansas. Mr. Voss was a beloved husband to his late wife of 69 years, Annabelle K. Voss, and a loving father of Jerrol Ann (Hermann) Pohl and Omer G. Voss, Jr.

After graduating in 1937 with a Political Science degree from Fort Hays Kansas State College (now Fort Hays State University), Mr. Voss earned a Doctor of Law degree from the University of Kansas two years later and achieved valedictorian of his Law School class. As a varsity debater at both universities, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Delta and Delta Sigma Rho debate fraternities.
Mr. Voss was an avid horseshoe player, good enough to be the Kansas state champion for several years. Even in recent years, Omer would tell Tim Chapman, President and CEO of the FHSU Foundation, that Tim could never beat him in horseshoes or at typing, as Omer was reportedly clocked at typing an astounding 132 words per minute.

Beginning in 1936, Omer worked summers for International Harvester Company (now Navistar) in Hutchinson, KS. He became a full-time employee in 1939 and was transferred to California as Assistant Manager of the San Francisco Office and later as General Manager of the Stockton, California, farm equipment factory.
From 1943 to 1945 during World War II, Omer served in the 7th Army Airways in both the South Pacific and Far East. After the war in 1951, Omer was transferred overseas and made Assistant Managing Director of IHC of Australia. Three years following, Omer moved to United Kingdom as Managing Director of IHC Great Britain. He traveled many continents establishing dealers and distributors of both wheel and crawler tractors and loaders.

Mr. Voss was elected President of IHC Canada in 1930 and moved his family to Hamilton, Ontario. Then, in 1962, Omer was brought to Chicago and became Executive Manager of IHC’s Farm Equipment Division. Omer retired from the company in 1979 as Vice Chairman. Mr. Voss’ son was quoted in the ChicagoTribune as saying, “My father had a lot of personal drive and strength and a desire to succeed. He also had good skills in questioning and getting answers and facts to make decisions, and he had a quick wit.”

Omer’s son further stated, “He was so concerned about future leadership. He said, ‘I have seen so many good people fail because they didn’t know how to lead, and we need to do something about it.’” And, indeed, his father did do something. In 2003, in addition to a scholarship fund, the Omer G. Voss Endowed Professorship in Leadership Fund was established at Fort Hays State University to select and retain outstanding faculty in Leadership. The Department of Leadership Studies’ programs at FHSU prepare students to become effective organizational members of the 21st century workplace; furthermore, the program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a broad range of organizational and supervisory positions and believes in the concept that leadership can be learned.

Dr. Curt Brungardt, Omer G. Voss Distinguished Professor at Fort Hays state University, is the Executive Director of the Center for Civic Leadership and was an honorary speaker at Mr. Voss’ funeral on February 16, 2012, in Evanston, IL.
“Because of Omer, our team at Fort Hays State University has had a positive impact on the world. I assure you today, because of Omer and our work, our graduates are making a real difference in the world,” Dr. Brungardt praised.

“A quote from Omer to me: ‘If you are going to get involved, then you lead. That’s where you can make the biggest difference.’ Although Omer is not with us in the physical, I promise you, he ‘lives on’ through the students he has impacted at Fort Hays State University. His legacy lives on. It lives on through their work and their efforts. Simply put, we could not do what we do without Omer Voss. It’s truly that important. Yes, Omer did great things during his time here. However, that’s only the beginning. Omer continues to do great things through others. His legacy is and will continue to be powerful. And, yes, it will impact many. It will be felt in every community where our graduates live, work and play. And the best part, his positive influence will live on and on for generations.” Dr. Brungardt concluded, “In classic Kansas slang - Omer, rest in peace; you done good.”

Dr. Edward H. Hammond, President of FHSU, offered, "Omer Voss was a meticulous individual, and he may have been the most prepared individual I have ever known.”
"During visits I discovered that he had a regular schedule of restaurants and clubs for lunch, and the waiters knew exactly what he would order. He loved chocolate sundaes and wanted them prepared in a certain way, and that is what he got.

"The same sense of order and preparedness was evident in his professional life. I have met with many people through the years to ask for financial support. They are always prepared, but no one else has been as prepared as Omer. He had facts and figures at hand and obviously had given it a great deal of thought.

"Omer always said that FHSU prepared him for his career by teaching him that hard work and preparation lead to success. And yet he was also open to new ideas. For example, when we launched our Leadership Studies program, he fully bought into our commitment to equip our students with leadership skills.

"Omer was a great and loyal friend to Fort Hays State University," concluded Dr. Hammond.

The FHSU Foundation is ever grateful to Mr. Voss, a former Board of Trustees member at the Foundation, and his family for their continued contributions and commitment to FHSU. Memorials may be made to the FHSU Foundation – Voss Professorship, Robbins Center, One Tiger Place, PO Box 1060, Hays, KS 67601.

Omer G Voss