In Memoriam: Scott W. Dunn
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Scott W. Dunn, an alumnus and longtime supporter of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, died on March 22.
He was 68.
Mr. Dunn (’78, agricultural business management) had served on the President’s Arabian Advisory Committee since joining the panel in April 2012. The committee was created to support the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center and consists of members who are Arabian horse experts.
As a committee member, Mr. Dunn was integral in planning the center’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2013.
However, Mr. Dunn’s connection with the horse center began much earlier. His father, Norman Dunn, was the center’s director for the more than 20 years and was responsible for establishing the center’s global reputation in the Arabian horse industry.
“Scott basically grew up here at Cal Poly Pomona through his childhood years,” said John Lambert, the center’s current executive director. “He’s had a connection to the Arabian Horse Center his entire life.”
In addition to spending much time in the center’s barns, pastures, and horse stalls, Mr. Dunn participated in his family’s tradition of decorating the Cal Poly Rose Float every year.
After graduating from Claremont High School in 1970, Mr. Dunn served in the U.S. Navy and then used his G.I. Bill benefits to attend Cal Poly Pomona. Upon graduating, he worked at the horse center with his first wife, Sue Blackman Dunn Chrismer (’80, liberal studies), breaking, training, and showing the horses under the direction of Allison Elwell (’71, history) and Scott’s father, Norman Dunn.
Mr. Dunn then started a career in the insurance industry, eventually working for Relation Insurance in Santa Maria. He was actively involved in the profession, serving with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California where he was chair of the agribusiness committee from 2007-12.
He also taught agribusiness and farm insurance specialist certification classes for the International Risk Management Institute for more than 10 years, ranging from hydroponic risks, exposure to equine mortality, and loss control.
Although he was an insurance agent by profession, Mr. Dunn remained involved in the Arabian horse industry. He trained horses, served as a competition judge, and was a well-known announcer at various Arabian horse shows, including as paddock announcer at the national championships.
Lambert praised Mr. Dunn as a role model and someone who inspired and united people.
“He loved to solve problems, calmly and methodically. He was humble and down to earth,” Lambert said. “He was dedicated to the Arabian Horse Center and the success of the horse center, especially as it was associated with student involvement and student success.”
Mr. Dunn is survived by his wife, Lynette; daughter Kelsey Dunn and fiancé Justin Young; son Hayes Dunn; and sisters Karen Graham and Katie Sargent.
Charitable donations may be made in Mr. Dunn’s memory to the Norman K. Dunn Endowed Scholarship Fund, c/o The Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, P.O. Box 3121, Pomona, CA 91769 or online at https://cpp.thankyouforcaring.org/pages/tributes.
A celebration of life will be held for Mr. Dunn at 10 a.m., Monday, June 21, at Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 993 Patterson Road in Santa Maria. RSVP at 8102lred@gmail.com to receive pertinent updates.