A retired UNL Extension specialist and 4-H youth specialist, John D. Orr, died Feb. 27 in Mitchell, S.D. He was 83.

Orr joined the University of Nebraska in 1956; he led 4-H, Rural Youth and International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) programs before retiring from the Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service in 1988. He was promoted to professor in 1970.

Orr was instrumental in developing a plan to build 4-H camping facilities in each of five extension districts and helped spear the construction of an outdoor education center at the Nebraska State 4-H center in 1979.

In 1980, he received the Nebraska Extension Wildlife Award and the Michael S. Landfield Extension Wildlife Awards. He was cited for his outstanding work in wildlife management and education.

He earned his B.S. from South Dakota Wesleyan University in 1950, an M.S. from South Dakota State University in 1956, and an Ed.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1967.

Orr is survived by his wife, four children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His former wife, Clarice Carlson-Orr is retired from UNL.

Services are March 3 in South Dakota.

Memorials are suggested to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation or Jennie and John Orr Scholarship Fund at Dakota Wesleyan University.