UW-Stevens Point: Emeritus Robert Engelhard inducted into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame

University Relations and Communications, 715-346-3046, Fax 715-346-2042, http://www.uwsp.edu/news

Robert (Bob) Engelhard, professor emeritus of forestry at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, was recently inducted into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame.

The Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame was created in 1984 to give special recognition to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the field of forestry in Wisconsin, Located in the lobby of the Trainer Natural Resources Building, the hall of fame is chaired by the Society of American Foresters and includes 10 forestry organizations .

A native of Milwaukee, Engelhard started his career in natural resources in 1956 as a forester with Trees for Tomorrow at Eagle River and was hired by Wisconsin State University–Stevens Point (now UWSP) in 1965. He received the Excellence in Teaching award three times and was named the College of Natural Resources (CNR) outstanding faculty member for 1972, 1975 and 1991. Engelhard retired in 1991 after a 25-year teaching career.

He was a key leader in developing the four-track forestry major at the CNR. Engelhard co-led the effort to take UWSP’s Conservation Department to a fully accredited forestry program. As part of that effort he led the development of the UWSP summer camp program, a six-week camp for students to implement their classroom studies and gain valuable “hands-on” field experience.

“Bob Engelhard was one of a handful of foresters who laid the foundation for what is today a key component of the nation’s largest undergraduate natural resources program,” said CNR Dean Christine Thomas. “His work has impacted thousands of natural resource students and foresters over the years, and our state and nation are better for his service both in and outside the classroom.”

Following his retirement, Engelhard served as executive director of Wisconsin Woodland Owner’s Association (WWOA) from June 1991 to 1995. He worked with the Wisconsin State Legislature and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on private landowner issues. He worked to further the landowner education clinics sponsored by WWOA around the state.

In 2005 he received the prestigious Bernhard-Eduard-Fernow Award by the German Forestry Association. Engelhard led the way in establishing the CNR’s summer program in the Black Forest of Germany. Following an inaugural trip in 1972, he went on to lead many student/faculty trips to Germany, building a forestry student exchange that continues to this day. He also received the John Macon award in recognition of outstanding service to the profession of forestry in Wisconsin.

Engelhard has been active in the Society of American Foresters since 1950. He has served that organization as the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter chair-elect, Central Wisconsin Chapter secretary (twice) and chairperson (twice). He was awarded Fellow status in 1985 and became a Golden Member in 2000.

He served on the Governor’s Council on Forestry for six years, testifying before the legislative committee on natural resources on legislation which eventually became Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law. Finally, he was a member of the Scientific Areas Preservation Council and an adviser to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for 16 years.

Engelhard and his wife, Karen, a 1959 UWSP graduate, reside in Stevens Point and Florida. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.