Bob Evenson, former visiting scientist at SSD, dies

Photo from Yale
Department of Economics
(http://www.econ.yale.edu)

Robert (Bob) Eugene Evenson of New Haven died peacefully on February 2.

He was visiting professor at the University of the Philippines and a longtime friend and partner of the Social Sciences Division at IRRI. Bob returned to IRRI and UPLB on numerous occasions throughout his career. His wife, Judy, and their children have fond memories of time spent in Los Baños.

Gifts in his memory may be made to the Robert E. Evenson Fund at the Yale University Economic Growth Center and/or to the Music Series Fund of Bethesda Lutheran Church in New Haven.

Messages of condolence to his family would be most welcome. Judy Evenson's e-mail address is jjevenson@aol.com, and his daughter Sarah's is sarahward78@gmail.com.


Bob began his career as a farmer in southern Minnesota. After years on the land, he embarked on an academic career in economics, earning degrees at the University of Minnesota and University of Chicago. Most of his academic career was spent at Yale University, where he was professor of economics from 1977-2007. During that time, Professor Evenson supervised and advised several hundred students at Yale, including many who now hold positions of leadership around the world.

Bob authored many books and collaborated on numerous publications in the areas of agricultural and economic development, with a focus on agricultural research and its impacts. Bob cared deeply about the poor of the world, and his time in the Philippines left him with a particular commitment to IRRI and its mission. He also remained a friend and mentor to many of his Filipino students and colleagues.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy, and their 4 children and 7 granchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Bethesda Lutheran Church in New Haven on Saturday, 9 February 2013, at 10 AM. Interment will be at Grove Street Cemetery, Yale.

(Text courtesy of Doug Gollins.)