Laben (Robert) Collection, 1914-1981

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Summary

Title:
Robert Laben Collection
Dates:
1914-1981
Creators:
Laben, Robert.
Abstract:
The Robert Laben Papers document Laben's activities as a UC Davis professor of animal science.
Extent:
15 linear feet.
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert Laben Collection, D-246, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains material from 1914-1981 regarding dairy herd records, University of California, Davis dairy operations, maps, and photographs.

Biographical / historical:

Robert C. Laben’s life is marked by his academic achievements, commitment to research, and personal journey. He was born on November 16, 1920, in Darien Center, New York, to Victor and Ruth Labenski. LabenRobert’s path steered him through military service, higher education, and a distinguished academic career at the University of California, Davis. Shortly after earning his B.S. in Animal Husbandry from Cornell University (New York) in 1942, Laben received orders to serve in the 79th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired from active duty in 1946 after sustaining injuries during two separate incidents, the second of which were due to injuries sustained in Cherbourg, France, after his jeep hit a landmine. His injuries required several surgeries and he met his wife, Dorothy, a nutrition graduate student, during this period of recuperation and teaching at Cornell. Following their time at Cornell, the Labens moved to Oklahoma and then Missouri as Robert Laben pursued his master’s and Ph.D., respectively. Dorothy Laben taught chemistry at the University of Missouri during this time. In 1950, Robert Laben joined the Department of Animal Husbandry at UC Davis as an instructor, where he focused on cattle breeding. Two efforts he took part in were the California Dairy Cattle Research Project and the Western Regional Dairy Cattle Breeding Project. Part of his research during the 1960s concentrated on the environmental impact of DDT in the dairy industry and the broader population’s food supply. His fundamental purpose was to analyze DDT’s decay rate in milk. In addition to research, Laben also served the Department of Animal Husbandry as Master Adviser for 15 years. In 1973, he was awarded the Undergraduate Student Adviser Award, and a student scholarship was created after Laben and his wife, Dorothy. Both acknowledgements underscored his dedication to shaping the academic futures of young scholars. In 1986, after a 36-year career as a professor of animal science at UC Davis, Robert Laben retired from his work but continued as a professor emeritus. Robert and Dorothy Laben both passed away August 7, 2005. In 2006, one of the two Tercero South halls was renamed as Robert Laben Hall.

Processing information:

The biography was written by Sacramento State Public History graduate student Alyssa Garcia. This finding aid was updated by Michelle Trujillo in 2026.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by UC Davis, Special Collections staff.
Date Prepared:
July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All applicable copyrights for the collection are protected under chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code. Requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California as the owner of the physical items. It is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Robert Laben Collection, D-246, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of California, Davis.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library
100 NW Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292, US
Contact:
(530) 752-1621
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
Website