A father figure in modern New Zealand soil science, Emeritus Professor Thomas William Walker, known through his television appearances as ‘The Prof', died aged 94.Throughout his academic career, Professor Walker pocketed the highest accolades in aca
A father figure in modern New Zealand soil science, Emeritus Professor Thomas William Walker, known through his television appearances as ‘The Prof’, died aged 94.
Throughout his academic career, Professor Walker pocketed the highest accolades in academe, including fellowships of learned societies and gold medals, and was honoured by the Queen by being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
He arrived in New Zealand from the UK in 1952 to take up the country’s first university professorship specifically in soil science at Lincoln University.
His research focus was on the nitrogen economy of legume-based pastures.
Later in his career, he became a strong proponent of biological nitrogen fixation with his research based around the correction of nutrient deficiencies, such as sulphur, molybdenum and phosphorus, which limit the growth of legumes and as a consequence, nitrogen build up in soils.
In 1997 he was awarded both Lincoln University’s top medal for advancing New Zealand’s interests, the Bledisloe Medal, and the Royal Society of New Zealand’s top award for scientific distinction, the Rutherford Gold Medal.
In 2003 he was awarded the Jubilee Medal for significant contributions to agricultural science, presented by the NZ Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science.
He was appointed Emeritus Professor of Soil Science at Lincoln University on his retirement in 1979 after a total of 27 years of service at the University spread over two periods.
Professor Walker died on 8 November, at his Christchurch home overlooking his garden surrounded by family.
He is survived by his wife Edna, to whom he had been married for more than 70 years, daughters Jennifer, Pamela, Judy and Penny, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
