An agriculturist and World War II air ace, Robert Ferguson, son of Dr. R.G. FERGUSON, was born on May 13, 1917, in Winnipeg but his family moved to Fort Qu'Appelle while he was still an infant. The war interrupted his studies at the University of Saskatchewan, but Ferguson distinguished himself with the Royal Canadian Air Force, retiring in 1945 with the rank of squadron leader. After the war, he completed degrees in arts and agriculture. Recognized for his community leadership, Ferguson served the rural municipality of North Qu'Appelle in various capacities for thirty years. He is a former member of the Boards of Governors of the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina. For his service to the university community, Ferguson received an honorary doctorate of law from the University of Regina in 1984, and a distinguished graduate award in agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 1986. Named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1987, Robert Ferguson received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1994.
Canadian Plains Research Center