Background
Kalton, Robert Rankin was born on October 28, 1920 in Minneapolis. Son of Martin Edmund and Eva Lucinda (Rankin) Kalton.
Kalton, Robert Rankin was born on October 28, 1920 in Minneapolis. Son of Martin Edmund and Eva Lucinda (Rankin) Kalton.
Bachelor of Science, University Minnesota, 1941. Master of Science, Iowa State College, 1945. Doctor of Philosophy, Iowa State College, 1947.
Associate agronomist, Texas Research Foundation, Renner, 1947-1949;
associate professor to professor farm crops, Iowa State University, 1950-1960;
research director, Rudy-Patrick Seed Company, Ames, Iowa., 1960-1970;
director agronomic research, Land O' Lakes, Inc., Webster City, Iowa., 1970-1985;
research director, Research Seeds, Inc., Webster City, Iowa., 1986-1992;
affiliate professor of plant breeding, Agronomy Department Iowa State University, since 1992. Chairman 29th National Alfalfa Improvement Conference, 1982-1984. Vice chairman National Plant Genetics Resources Board, 1982-1987.
Member National Plant Germplasm Commission, 1988-1990.
Active Ames Community Chest, 1950's. Troop committeeman, leader Webelos, Mid-Iowa council Boy Scouts American, 1960's. Treasurer, vice president Beardshear Parent-Teachers Association, Ames, 1950's.
County committeeman Hamilton County Republicans, 1974-1978, 92-94. Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society Agronomy (Industry Agronomist award 1992), Crop Science Society of America. Member American Genetics Association, American Seed Trade Association (director-at-large, honorary member), Iowa Seed Association (president, board directors, honorary member), Iowa Crop Improvement Association (honorary member), National Council Commercial Plant Breeders (president, board directors, Genetics and Plant Breeding award for Industry 1989), American Seed Research Foundation (board directors), Sigma Xi.
Married Vivian W. Wiltsey, October 9, 1942. Children– JoAnne, Barbara, Bonnie, Robert, Martin.