Phillip O. Foss
Encyclopedia
Phillip Oliver Foss, an American
political scientist, was born in Maxbass
, North Dakota
to Oliver Foss and Petra Elton Foss and died in Fort Collins, Colorado
. He was a decorated veteran of World War II
and the Korean War
; was employed in public service with the U.S. Department of the Interior; helped establish the doctoral program in Environmental Politics and Policy at Colorado State University
; published numerous scholarly books, research monographs, journal articles and chapters in anthologies; served as a consultant to government agencies, and received numerous awards and honors, including listings in both Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.
in 1933, received a teaching certificate from the University of Montana in 1936, and at age 19 began teaching grade school. He married Dorothy Marie Hansen in 1941 and they raised four children, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001. In 1947 he received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington
, completing his master’s degree in 1953 and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Oregon
in 1956.
Foss joined the United States Army Air Corps
in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater
during the Second World War (1942–46), and in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War (1951–53), retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. He received several awards and commendations, including the U.S. Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal
, the Korean Service Medal
and a Commendation Medal
. On the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, Foss received the Korean War Service Medal
.
. He chaired the Department of Political Science at Colorado State University (1965–72) and its Natural Resources Center (1964–67), and was the driving force behind establishment of its doctoral program in Environmental Politics and Policy with Henry P. Caulfield, Jr.
and Norman I. Wengert
.
Phillip Foss is perhaps best known for his early cases studies of the role of local grazing advisory committees established by the Taylor Grazing Act
of 1934 in regulating the grazing of livestock on federal public lands. Foss found that such committees were often dominated by the same ranchers and cattlemen whose activities were supposed to be regulated. Foss often said it was probably the most frequently checked out—and most rapidly returned—university library book in the 1960s.
; and Outstanding Service Award from San Francisco State College (1960), a Distinguished Service Award from Colorado State University
(1970), was elected to the Executive Council of the Western Political Science Association (1967–69), served as its Vice President (1970–71) and President (1972–73), and was listed in both Who’s Who in America 1988-89 and Who’s Who in the World 1990-91.
, U.S. Department of the Interior (1964–65, 1969) during preparation of the National Recreation Survey of the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission, and to the National Academy of Sciences
(1969–70).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political scientist, was born in Maxbass
Maxbass, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 91 people, 45 households, and 25 families residing in the city. The population density was 554.2 people per square mile . There were 70 housing units at an average density of 426.3 per square mile...
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
to Oliver Foss and Petra Elton Foss and died in Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
. He was a decorated veteran of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
; was employed in public service with the U.S. Department of the Interior; helped establish the doctoral program in Environmental Politics and Policy at Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
; published numerous scholarly books, research monographs, journal articles and chapters in anthologies; served as a consultant to government agencies, and received numerous awards and honors, including listings in both Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in the World.
Early life and education
Foss graduated from Medicine Lake High School in MontanaMontana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
in 1933, received a teaching certificate from the University of Montana in 1936, and at age 19 began teaching grade school. He married Dorothy Marie Hansen in 1941 and they raised four children, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in 2001. In 1947 he received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, completing his master’s degree in 1953 and Ph.D. in political science at the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1956.
Foss joined the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Ocean theater of World War II
The Pacific Ocean theatre was one of four major naval theatres of war of World War II, which pitted the forces of Japan against those of the United States, the British Commonwealth, the Netherlands and France....
during the Second World War (1942–46), and in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War (1951–53), retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. He received several awards and commendations, including the U.S. Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
, the Korean Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
The Korean Service Medal is an award of the United States military and was created in November 1950 by executive order of President Harry Truman. The Korean Service Medal is the primary United States medal for participation in the Korean War and is awarded to any U.S. service member, who...
and a Commendation Medal
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may...
. On the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, Foss received the Korean War Service Medal
Korean War Service Medal
The Korean War Service Medal is a decoration of South Korea which was first authorized in December 1950...
.
Academic career
Foss began his academic career as an Instructor at the University of Oregon in (1955–57); was Assistant Professor (1957–61) and Associate Professor (1961–62) at San Francisco State College; Associate Professor (1962–64) and Professor (1964–1972) at Colorado State UniversityColorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
. He chaired the Department of Political Science at Colorado State University (1965–72) and its Natural Resources Center (1964–67), and was the driving force behind establishment of its doctoral program in Environmental Politics and Policy with Henry P. Caulfield, Jr.
Henry P. Caulfield, Jr.
Henry P. Caulfield, Jr."The epic"' was an American political scientist who had a long and distinguished career in public service with the U.S. Department of the Interior, culminating as the first Director of its U.S. Water Resources Council, before becoming Professor of Political Science at...
and Norman I. Wengert
Norman I. Wengert
Norman Irving Wengert was an American political scientist who wrote about the politics of natural resources, advanced a seminal theory of the "politics of getting", and had a number of significant roles in his public and academic career. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Eugene F. and Lydia...
.
Phillip Foss is perhaps best known for his early cases studies of the role of local grazing advisory committees established by the Taylor Grazing Act
Taylor Grazing Act
The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 is a United States federal law that provides for the regulation of grazing on the public lands to improve rangeland conditions and regulate their use....
of 1934 in regulating the grazing of livestock on federal public lands. Foss found that such committees were often dominated by the same ranchers and cattlemen whose activities were supposed to be regulated. Foss often said it was probably the most frequently checked out—and most rapidly returned—university library book in the 1960s.
Honors and recognition
Foss was recipient of an Outstanding Dissertation Award (1957) from the American Society for Public AdministrationAmerican Society for Public Administration
The American Society for Public Administration is a membership association in the United States sponsoring conferences and providing professional services primarily to those who study the implementation of government policy, public administration, and, to a lesser degree, programs of civil society...
; and Outstanding Service Award from San Francisco State College (1960), a Distinguished Service Award from Colorado State University
Colorado State University
Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
(1970), was elected to the Executive Council of the Western Political Science Association (1967–69), served as its Vice President (1970–71) and President (1972–73), and was listed in both Who’s Who in America 1988-89 and Who’s Who in the World 1990-91.
Consultancies
Foss served as consultant on natural resources issues for the Bureau of Land ManagementBureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
, U.S. Department of the Interior (1964–65, 1969) during preparation of the National Recreation Survey of the Outdoor Recreation Resources Review Commission, and to the National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
(1969–70).
Selected scholarly publications
- The Grazing Fee Dilemma. University, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1960.
- Politics and Grass. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1960.
- The Battle of Soldier Creek. University, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1961.
- Reorganization and Reassignment in the California Highway Patrol. University AL: University of Alabama, Press, 1962.
- Federal Agencies and Outdoor Recreation. Fort Collins: Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1962.
- Education and Natural Resources. Fort Collins: Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1964.
- An Exploration of Components Affecting and Limiting Policymaking Options in Local Water Agencies, with Duane W. Hill and Charles L Garrison. Fort Collins: Natural Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1968.
- Organizational Adaption to Changes in Public Objectives for Management of Cache La Poudre River System, with Duane Hill and Roy L. Meek. Fort Collins: Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1969.
- Organization of Water Management for Agricultural Production in West Pakistan, with Duane Hill. Fort Collins: Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1970.
- Politics and Policies: The Continuing Issues, with Duane Hill. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1970.
- Public Land Policy. Boulder: Colorado Associated University Press, 1970.
- Outdoor Recreation. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1971.
- Politics and Ecology. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press, 1972.
- "Policy Analysis and the Political Science Profession." Policy Studies Journal, 2(Autumn): 67-71, 1973.
- Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Quality. Fort Collins: Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1973.
- Environment and Colorado: A Handbook. Fort Collins: Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1973.
- Institutional Arrangements for Effective Water Management in Colorado. Fort Collins: Environmental Resources Center, Colorado State University, 1978.
- Federal Lands Policy. New York: Greenwood Press, 1987.