Richard Topus
Encyclopedia
Richard Topus was an American pigeon enthusiast and business executive. During World War II
he trained war pigeons
for the United States Army
.
where he fell in love with pigeons at an early age and befriended several local pigeon handlers who taught him to handle the birds. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps as a pigeoneer. He was stationed at Camp Ritchie in Maryland
- one of several camps where birds were raised and trained for use as messengers.
After the war Topus earned a master degree from Hofstra University
. In the late 50's he joined Friendship Food Products, a dairy company based in Maspeth, Queens
(which would later become Friendship Dairies, a subsidiary of Dean Foods
), eventually rising to the position of executive vice president for sales and marketing. In 1948 he married Jacqueline Buehler.
After leaving Friendship Food Products he taught marketing at Long Island University
and then at the State University of New York
in the 60's and early 70's. After retiring to Scottsdale he taught at Arizona State University
and worked as a securities arbitrator.
He died at the age of 84 on December 5, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona
of kidney failure.
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...
he trained war pigeons
War pigeon
Pigeons have long played an important role in war. Due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude, they were often used as military messengers. After World War II, they ceased being used.- Nineteenth century :...
for the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Biography
Topus was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 15, 1924. He grew up in FlatbushFlatbush, Brooklyn
Flatbush is a community of the Borough of Brooklyn, a part of New York City, consisting of several neighborhoods.The name Flatbush is an Anglicization of the Dutch language Vlacke bos ....
where he fell in love with pigeons at an early age and befriended several local pigeon handlers who taught him to handle the birds. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps as a pigeoneer. He was stationed at Camp Ritchie in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
- one of several camps where birds were raised and trained for use as messengers.
After the war Topus earned a master degree from Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
. In the late 50's he joined Friendship Food Products, a dairy company based in Maspeth, Queens
Maspeth, Queens
Maspeth is a small community in the borough of Queens in New York City. Neighborhoods sharing borders with Maspeth are Woodside and Sunnyside to the north, Long Island City to the northwest, Greenpoint to the west, East Williamsburg to the southwest, Fresh Pond and Ridgewood to the south, and...
(which would later become Friendship Dairies, a subsidiary of Dean Foods
Dean Foods
Dean Foods is an American food and beverage company with two operating divisions: Fresh Dairy Direct and WhiteWave-Morningstar. The company maintains plants and distributors in the United States and the United Kingdom. Dean Foods products are sold throughout the USA.-History:In 1925, Samuel E...
), eventually rising to the position of executive vice president for sales and marketing. In 1948 he married Jacqueline Buehler.
After leaving Friendship Food Products he taught marketing at Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
and then at the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
in the 60's and early 70's. After retiring to Scottsdale he taught at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and worked as a securities arbitrator.
He died at the age of 84 on December 5, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
of kidney failure.