Ernest Travis Littledike

E. Travis Littledike passed away peacefully at Maple Springs in North Logan, Utah on Wednesday November 22, 2023. He leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth, her two children, William (Carin) and Trisha (Oscar Gustavo) and her three grandchildren, and his four daughters with his previous and loving wife, Carolyn, who preceded him in death. Their daughters are Laurie (Roger) McBride, Leslie (Brent) Hawkins, Leah (Kevin) Thompson, and Melissa (Kanona) Felt. He has 19 grandchildren and has many great-grandchildren.

Travis was born in Logan, Utah. For much of his youth, he grew up on his family’s farm. Travis was an excellent baseball player during his youth. He enjoyed hunting during his younger years and was an avid fisherman throughout his life.

Travis received his B.S. degree from Utah State University, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), with a minor in physiology, from Washington State University, and his PhD from the University of Illinois. He then completed an Nil Postdoc fellowship in biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin. Travis was a member of the Alpha Zeta and Sigma Xi honor societies.

Dr. Littledike was employed for 25 years as a Research Leader in physiology by the USDA Agricultural Research Service at the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, where he established an internationally known research group. Dr. Littledike concurrently worked with many outstanding doctoral candidates in various departments of lowa State University, where he held a full professorship. Dr. Littledike additionally completed a sabbatical at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, while he continued to serve on various Post-Doc committees at the University of Illinois and the University of Nebraska. He was then promoted to the Agricultural Research National Program staff, where he oversaw research throughout the United States. Dr. Littledike then spent the next 9 years as a research leader at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Service at Clay Center, Nebraska. His role included overseeing the construction and staffing of the new research facility. Throughout Dr. Littledike's research career, scientists from throughout the world came to observe and conduct research at his labs.

Upon retirement from his research career, Dr. Littledike headed the Veterinary Technician College at the Omaha College of Health Careers. He then practiced as a full-time veterinary surgeon in Omaha, Nebraska and later in the West Jordan, Utah area. During semi-retirement, he continued to work part-time as a veterinarian for the next 3 years. At the age of 83, Dr. Littledike permanently retired, at the request of his wife.

In 2017 one of Dr. Littledike's numerous research journal articles was cited by the editor of the Journal of Endocrinology as the journal's Centennial Publication Article, in celebration of the journal's 100 years of publication. The article presented the important role of the kidney in forming the active form of Vitamin D in the body.

Travis was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many church assignments wherever he lived. Travis voluntarily oversaw 16+ church building projects.

He served for 12 years as a High Councilman, as a Boy Scout Explorer Leader for 10 years+, and as a Branch President and Bishop for 7 years.

Travis always said that he considered himself to be a farmer. For over 50 years of his adult life, he owned modest farms in Iowa and Smithfield, Utah. He had often commented that he could not stand the thought of dying outside of Cache Valley, away from his farm. His father had taught him by example what it meant to work throughout one's life, and Travis followed his father's lead, always emphasizing the value of experience gained from working.

Viewing hours will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday December 2, 2023 at the White Pine Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at the White Pine Funeral Home on Saturday December 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. He will be interred in the Smithfield City Cemetery in Smithfield, UT. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to neurosarcoidosis research at the

University of Utah

P.O. Box 58006

Salt Lake City, UT 84158.