In memoriam

Wayne F. Keim

Wayne F. Keim, 96, Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University (CSU), passed away in Fort Collins on 11 Feb. 2020. He was born on 14 May 1923. He completed three semesters at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL) before being called to serve in World War II. After three years of military service, he returned to UNL where he graduated in 1947 with a B.S. degree, majoring in Agronomy and Mathematics. A basic genetics course taught by his father led him into a long career in genetics and plant breeding.

In 1947, Keim married Joyce Neumann of Lincoln, also a 1947 UNL graduate. He completed a M.S. degree in 1949 and a Ph.D. in 1952 from Cornell University with a major in Genetics and Plant Breeding. He had academic appointments at Iowa State University, Purdue University, and CSU along with additional short-term positions at the University of Hawaii and the University of Lund in Sweden. At CSU, Keim was Head of the Department of Agronomy from 1975 to 1985 where he brought “esprit de corps” to the department by encouraging both old and new faculty members to excel in their professions and to become active in their professional scientific societies. He retired in 1992.

Keim, a 70-year member of ASA, was elected Fellow of ASA and CSSA in 1968. He served as President of CSSA in 1984. He was also a AAAS Fellow (1960).

Purdue students recognized him as “Best Teacher” twice. In 1999, he was listed in Purdue's initial Book of Great Teachers. In 2007, Keim was named one of 12 former faculty members to the designation of “Legend” at Purdue University. In 2009, at the Department Centennial celebration at CSU, he was again honored as a “Legend” for his teaching and administrative accomplishments.

Keim is survived by his wife Joyce of 72 years, two daughters, one son, five granddaughters, and five great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death were his parents, a daughter, a grandson, and his sister.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.allnuttftcollins.com.

Don Robinson

ASA Fellow Dr. Donald L. Robinson passed away 22 Nov. 2019 in Vernon, TX. He was born 8 Feb. 1942. He was a farm-raised country boy who excelled academically, professionally, and personally. He was an academician with a professional career in teaching, research, and administration that spanned four decades.

He received his B.S. degree in 1964 from Southern Illinois University, M.S. degree from Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 1966, and Ph.D. from Kansas State University (KSU) in 1971. In graduate school, he focused on studies of soil–plant interactions with an emphasis on soil fertility.

Robinson joined the Agronomy Department at Louisiana State University in 1971 as an Assistant Professor with teaching and research responsibilities and was later promoted to Associate Professor and Professor. He also served as an academic adviser to undergraduate and graduate students. He was recognized by his research colleagues as a national leader in soil–plant interactions. While his research accomplishments were numerous and have been recorded in the many scientific articles he published, Robinson believed his greatest professional legacy was in the many students he mentored. He received numerous awards for his teaching excellence from a variety of academic associations.

In 1997, Robinson was named Resident Director of Research at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Vernon, TX. During his decade of administrative service, he led a multidisciplinary team of research personnel. He was awarded Professor and Resident Director Emeritus Status upon his retirement in 2007.

Robinson was dedicated to public service, serving his local water conservation district, a trail association, and a museum. He also passionately devoted his time to transforming Rustling Grass Ranch from a sandy land wheat farm to native grass pastures for grazing and a sanctuary for wildlife. He was an avid horseman. He was a great friend who cared about others and put their interests and needs ahead of his own.

He is survived by his wife Beth, son Cory, daughter Erin, son Clayton, bothers Richard and Gary, and sister Shirleen. He was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne.