Remembering Roscoe Pershing, agricultural engineer and professor emeritus
Roscoe L. Pershing, professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and The Grainger College of Engineering, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign passed away peacefully on Nov. 7 at the age of 85.
Pershing’s career at Illinois spanned decades and encompassed leadership, teaching, research, and steadfast commitment to students. He holds the distinction of being the first person ever to earn a doctorate in agricultural engineering from Illinois, which set the foundation for a career defined by excellence in engineering and education.
Before returning to campus, Pershing spent nearly 20 years at Deere & Company in engineering, research, and leadership roles, becoming a recognized expert in vehicle dynamics and simulation. He later taught at Black Hawk College, where he strengthened his focus on reaching and supporting students.
Dr. Pershing joined the ABE faculty in 1985 and served as department head until 1993, ushering the department through a period of significant growth and success. During his tenure, the department doubled in size, consistently ranked among the top five programs nationally, and achieved the No. 1 national ranking in 1993.
He then moved to The Grainger College of Engineering, where he served as Associate Dean for Academic Programs until his retirement in 2004. In this role, he advanced engineering education across the college and oversaw programs that supported undergraduate success. His “Executives in the Technological World” course became a popular capstone experience for generations of engineering students.
Pershing and his wife, Ann, have been generous supporters. Their philanthropy includes continuing support for scholarships established by Ann’s parents in memory of her brothers, Frank William Bauling and James Arthur Bauling, as well as support for Illinois 4-H, study abroad programs, and multiple student-focused initiatives across ACES. Their gifts continue to strengthen opportunities for future generations.
“Roscoe Pershing helped shape ABE into the respected, forward-looking program it is today,” said College of ACES Dean Germán Bollero. “His leadership, his commitment to students, and his generosity with Ann have had a lasting impact on our college.”
“Dr. Pershing was deeply committed to engineering education and to the success of our students,” said Rashid Bashir, dean of Grainger Engineering. “He leaves behind a legacy of service, leadership, and care for this institution.”
Memorials for Dr. Pershing in support of the Frank William Bauling and Roscoe L. Pershing Memorial Fund may be made out to the University of Illinois Foundation, P.O. Box 734500, Chicago, Illinois 60673-4500. Please include Bauling-Pershing Memorial Fund in the memo line. You may also go online to make your gift: Frank William Bauling and Roscoe L. Pershing Memorial Fund (#11771174).
Read more about Pershing’s life and career in his online obituary.