In 1952, Alfred Orval Gigstad III, or Orval, as his family called him, was born in Garnett, Kansas, while his dad was finishing veterinary medical school at Kansas State University, where Orval would also graduate from the KSU College of Veterinary Medicine in May 1976. While attending school, he met his future wife, Carolyn Hatcher. After they married in 1976, they moved to Syracuse, Nebraska.

The influence of Orval’s parents in his growing up years was significant. He got his kindness from his mom, leadership skills from his dad and a servant’s attitude, sense of community and love for animals and natural resources from both of his parents. Right after moving to Syracuse, Orval became a member of the Syracuse Area Jaycees organization, as both of his parents had also done earlier in Nebraska City. His leadership skills were developed with the Jaycees as he moved up the ranks to become the Nebraska Jaycees State President in 1984-1985.

Orval’s natural resources conservation interests came from his father who was involved in the ground level as an interested party for developing Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts and also served on the Nemeha Natural Resources District Board for several years. His dad was also part of the movement to organize the Arbor Day Foundation. After Jaycees, Orval ran for the elected public office of Director of the Nemaha Natural Resources District Board and won in 1992. He has been elected to that position every four years since then. He is also active in the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, where he ended up being State President for one year at the same time he was President of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts for a two-year term in 2001-2003. Then, he served as NARD State President again in 2024 – 2026.

NARD has sent Orval as their State Delegate to the National Association of Conservation Districts conferences for years. He has served on the NACD committees of Water Policy, Communications, Natural Resources, Nominations and Forestry. The NACD Northern Plains Region elected him to be Chair for at least a decade. He is currently Vice Chair for that Region. His favorite President is Teddy Roosevelt who once said, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources… for your children and your children’s children.” Orval does that with a passion.

Orval Gigstad has done all of these accomplishments while being in a one-man veterinary clinic. He made it all work with the help of his family and staff. He is a quiet thinker but can knock you over with his huge smile, especially when he’s talking about his family, his veterinary work and God’s natural resources. As he slowly winds down his veterinary practice, he can be found traveling with Carolyn, singing his favorite Jimmy Buffett song, or tinkering in his Parrothead Shed.