Key Founder of GTI, Sports Turf Canada passes away at age 93

Dr. Robert (Bob) Sheard, a founder of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute and a key player in the formation of Sports Turf Canada, has passed away at the age of 93.

Dr. Sheard died peacefully of natural causes with his sons Bill and John at his side. Born in Saskatchewan in 1927, he enjoyed a career as a professor of plant agronomy and soils at the University of Guelph which led to a specialty in turfgrass and sports field construction. He was the author of a manual considered to be the bible of sports field construction.

“It is with a very sad heart that we share the passing of our dear friend and industry icon, Bob Sheard,” read a statement from Sports Turf Canada.

“Bob Sheard was an intrinsic part of both the Guelph Turfgrass Institute and Sports Turf Canada,” offered Lee Huether, former longtime executive director of Sports Turf Canada. “And he was my friend.”