Name that Skaggs: A Missouri Farm Boy

This Skaggs was born in 1911 and grew up on a farm in Grundy County, Missouri. He attended a one-room grade school and rode a horse three miles to high school. His father wanted him to take over the family farm, however, he liked designing and building gadgets and decided to go into science.  So he went off to college at the University of Missouri. His great-great-great-great-grandfather was Henry Skaggs the Longhunter.  Name that Skaggs.  The answer is below the fold.