Robert M. Skirvin Papers, 1956-2006 | University of Illinois Archives

Series 1: Publications, 1975-2015

This series contains books, book chapters, articles, and published abstracts authored by Robert M. Skirvin, Also included are undated publications by Professor Skirvin and yearly class books with entries written by students and edited by Professor Skirvin. Publications are organized chronologically, followed by undated publications and class books.

Series 2: Subject Files, 1967-2014

This series contains Robert M. Skirvin CVs, field research data and notes, correspondence, lectures and course materials (particularly of classes he initiated), awards, his tenure file, UIUC cooperative extension service material, and photographs. The material is organized alphabetically.

Box 6: This box contains materials of Robert M. Skirvin that was processed earlier; the processed order and list of folder titles was not changed. Included are bulletins, correspondence, memoranda, photographs, slides, newspaper articles, research articles, programs, newsletters, patents, legal documents, and financial reports, related to teaching Horticulture, research exchanges with French academics (1980-1988), and to testing and patenting plants (1973-2003); also included are historical materials related to the Illinois Education Association (IEA), National Education Association (NEA), and Hoosier Educational Service, ca.1950s.

Robert M. Skirvin (1947- ) is an emeritus professor of Horticulture at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is recognized for his research and patents on small fruits and viticulture, including the Improved Chancellor Grape, Illini Hardy Blackberry, Everthornless Blackberry, Chester Thornless Blackberry, Dwarf Thornless Blackberry, and Hull Thornless Blackberry. In 2000, he received the College of ACES Paul A. Funk Award and was named a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science in 2005. Professor Skirvin was also a distinguished pedagogue and mentor, including in the University Campus Honors program, and received numerous campus and external teaching awards, including the American Society for Horticultural Science Undergraduate Educator Award in 1998.

Robert M. Skirvin was born on October 27, 1947 in Burlington, Washington. In 1965, he began his undergraduate education at Oral Roberts University and transferred to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, where he received his B.S. (1969) and M.S. (1971). Professor Skirvin completed his PhD (1975) at Purdue University in West Lafayette.

Professor Skirvin taught at Purdue University as an assistant professor of Horticulture from 1975-1976. In 1976, he came as assistant professor to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he was promoted to associate professor in 1981 and full professor in 1988. He was visiting professors at research institutes in New Zealand (1985-86) and Australia (1990-91) conducting research on blackberries and apples. Professor Skirvin developed innovative courses at the University of Illinois such as Small Fruits and Viticulture.

Robert Skirvin is married to Mary Margaret Van Horn Skirvin. They have two children, Timothy and Daniel.