Head and shoulders image of Dr. Bob McKercher, assistant dean (planning), Agriculture.

Bio/Historical Note: Image appeared in 22 May 1998 issue of OCN.

Bio/Historical Note: Dr. Robert B. (Bob) McKercher grew up near Rosetown, Saskatchewan. He entered the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan in 1949. Later he switched to Agriculture, earning a BA and BSA in 1954. Dr. McKercher took a job with the college while continuing on with his academic life, later obtaining a PhD in soils research in 1956 at the Macaulay Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland. Dr. McKercher returned to the U of S, embarking on a long teaching and research career. He was a pioneer for his work that helped form the basis for fertilizer recommendations in the province and throughout the Prairies. Dr. McKercher stepped into administrative roles over the years, including the assistant dean (academic) of agriculture and then the associate dean of graduate studies and research. Dr. McKercher also played an integral role in the planning and construction of the new Agriculture Building that opened in 1991. Dr. McKercher, along with fellow alumnus Ted Turner, wrote a book, The Sodbusters Vision: An Agriculture Building for the University of Saskatchewan From the Ground Up, which details the steps of the new Agriculture Building from planning and fundraising through to completion. He was a departmental representative on the new College Building planning committee and the assistant dean of planning for the sixth floor addition to the building, which was completed in 2001. Dr. McKercher was designated Professor Emeritus upon retirement. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2017.