2017 Prime of Life Achievement Award

Professor Emeritus Robert McKercher (PhD) (Soil Science, College of Agriculture, 1955-1999) pioneered work on soil tests for fertilizer recommendations to Saskatchewan farmers. He has special expertise in soil organic phosphates and pesticides, and their fate in soil ecosystems. Bob was an innovative teacher; he was elected Honorary President of the ASA (1968).

As Assistant Dean he was tasked to liaise between faculty, Facilities Management and the architect of the Agriculture Building. This was critical to translating the needs of the faculty into functional labs and teaching spaces. He played a similar role with the sixth-floor addition. His contributions to the college were recognized by an Honorary Life Membership in the SAGA. Bob’s contributions to Saskatchewan and prairie agriculture were recognized by his induction into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame (2017). In 2017 Bob and Ted Turner published the book, “The Sodbusters Vision: An Agriculture Building for the University of Saskatchewan.”