Robert E Lucas

Okemos, Michigan

Age 95, died July 19, 2011. Born June 27, 1916 in Manila, Philippines Islands. His parents, Charles and Harriet (Deardorff) were public high school teachers at Malolos, PI, who returned to North Judson, Indiana in 1917. Here he resided until granted a MS degree in agriculture at Purdue University in 1941. He received his Ph.D. degree in Soil Science 1947 at Michigan State University. Robert married April 27, 1941 to Norma Schultz, a former North Jordan high school classmate, who survives. He is also survived by his children, Raymond of Rochester Hills, Richard (Ann) of Haslett, Milton and Keith of Okemos and Charles (Theresa) of Colorado Springs; seven grandchildren; one great grandson; brothers and sister, Carl (Julia) Lucas, Carman Benes, Cecil Lucas and Paul (Nancy) Lucas. Robert is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Leonard Lucas, Lucile Shittier, Marjorie Markus, John Lucas, Alice Dolezal and Kenneth Lucas.

Robert was employed in the Dept of Soil Science at MSU as associate professor in 1951 and professor from 1957-1977. Project leader in soils extension. Specialist both in vegetable and field crops, management and uses of trace elements in crop productions. He had professional assignments in Virginia, North Carolina, Everglades in Florida, Ireland and Argentina. Robert was the Secretary of Michigan Onion Growers Assn from 1953-72, a member of Michigan Muck Farmers Assn 1953-72, and Michigan Mint Growers Assn 1953-60. He was chairman of Chief Okemos (MI) Council Boy Scouts 1965-66, President Okemos Community Senior Citizens, 1987-88, secretary of the Lansing Farmers Club for five years. Robert was recognized as Outstanding Mich. Ag. Extension Specialist in 1967, elected Fellow in the Am Soc. Of Agronomy in 1967 and in the Soil Science Soc. in 1969. He listed in Marquis “Who’s Who in America (88-98). Robert was one of four founding members of Circle Pines Coop. Housing at Purdue in 1939. He is a member of Martin Luther Chapel in East Lansing. Robert Lucas traveled in 58 countries and circled our world twice.

The family will receive friends Friday, July 22 from 6-8 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI. The funeral service will be handled by the O’Donnell, North Judson. Interment will follow at the Round Lake Cemetery, Starke County, IN. A memorial service will be held in East Lansing at Martin Luther Chapel on Monday, August 8, at 11am with a lunch following.

Memorial contributions may be made to Robert Lucas Endowed Scholarship Fund, University Development, MSU, 300 Spartan Way, East Lansing, MI 48824-9911, in Robert’s memory. On line condolences can be made to gorslineruncimaneastlansing.com.