Weaver Labs, home of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE), was the site of ceremonies in remembrance of the late Dr. Bob Bottcher, professor in the department, who died suddenly in April. The July 10 occasion marked the signing of an agreement establishing the Robert W. Bottcher Memorial Biological and Agricultural Engineering Endowment.

Once created, the endowment will fund the Robert W. Bottcher Promising Researcher Award, which will provide unrestricted support for an assistant professor in BAE. The stipend for research will stay with the faculty member until he or she achieves tenure as an associate professor or leaves the university. The first preference to receive the award will be a researcher working in the area of air quality
and/or the environmental effects of odors. Second will be to an area of greatest need in the department.

“This award is very supportive of achievement, professional competence and performance,” said James L. Oblinger, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in announcing the endowment’s creation.

Bottcher’s research interests included systems for controlling indoor environments, air quality and emissions from livestock and poultry buildings. He joined the faculty at N.C. State in 1985 as an assistant professor, after working as a graduate research assistant at the university. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in biological and agricultural engineering from N.C. State and a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.

Said Dr. Jim Young, head of BAE, “Bob Bottcher was a friend to all of us and is deeply missed in this department. He was recognized as an expert in his field throughout the world. He also was a person who provided service to the College and the university.”

Bottcher was active in his department’s student recruitment activities, and he served on the university’s Faculty Senate and Athletics Council. He was a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, as well as the North Carolina section of ASAE, and served as associate editor of the organization’s journal, Transactions of the ASAE.

“This endowment is a very appropriate way of honoring Bob Bottcher,” said Young. “This will be a special thing to remember him by and to help those young assistant professors that he was always ready and willing to help.”

Dr. Johnny Wynne, associate dean and director of the Agricultural Research Service, said, “Bob was enthusiastic, likable, responsive and professional and worked well with all groups, students and industry. He was a true scholar, interested in doing the best he could for society, his fellow man and for the university. It is fitting to have a research award in his memory.”

The future recipients of the award will have less time to wait for the endowment’s fruition, thanks to a donation and pledge challenge by Sharon Ramsey, Bottcher’s former wife and executive director of the College’s Alumni and Friends Society. She presented a check for $3,000 to match contributions already made to the endowment and pledged to match gifts up to $7,500.

“Bob was never happier than when he was working on his engineering projects and helping others,” Ramsey said. “He wanted to do the right thing, to advance his profession and improve the environment. This is a small gift from me, giving back as Bob gave.”

—Terri Leith