Obituary: Robert John Luxmoore

Died quietly on Jan. 4, 2014 while surrounded by loving family and friends at home in Solomon Hollow, near Coalfield, Tenn., of complications from metastatic cancer.

He was born on Nov. 7, 1940, in Adelaide, Australia. Bob attended Unley High School and graduated from the University of Adelaide with a B.Ag.Sc. degree in 1962 and with a B.Ag.Sc (Hons.) degree in agronomy in 1963. After completing a three-year term as a research officer in the South Australian Department of Agriculture, he earned a PhD degree in soil physics at the University of California, Riverside in 1969.

His early career included post-doctoral assignments at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; University of California, Riverside; and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. This experience led to a 28-year career at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he undertook environmental research of soils and whole-plant physiology. He was recognized as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1985 and a fellow of the Soil Science Society of America in 1988 for his published research contributions as well as national and international professional activities.

Luxmoore was an active contributor to the Soil Science Society of America, serving as editor of the Soil Science Society of America Journal, editor-in-chief for the Society, member of the board of directors, and president of the Society in 2001. He also served on the Whole Plant Physiology Research Unit and the IUFRO Enlarged Board of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Luxmoore maintained his Australian citizenship and became a U.S. citizen in 2003 after Australian law changed to allow dual citizenship.

He participated in several area organizations addressing social, environmental, and economic justice issues in Tennessee; two of these organizations are Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment (SOCM) and Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning (TCWP). He and his wife created conservation easements with Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation on their property to prevent future subdivision, protect headwaters, and maintain the local rural environment. He was a gardener, became a vegetable canner, and enjoyed cooking during retirement. He learned numerous bird songs and followed the spring and autumn bird migrations through parts of East Tennessee. He also learned to speak some Spanish, which added to his enjoyment of retirement travels in Mexico and parts of Central and South America.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Annetta Watson; by his sister Shirley E. West and family of Queensland; and by his brother David A. Luxmoore and family of Queensland and Victoria, Australia. In addition, Bob is survived by numerous cousins and relatives in Australia, Oregon, and California as well as by his Solomon Hollow family of close friends and neighbors.

A celebration of life and a picnic reception are being planned for a later date. For those who wish to attend, please notify the Sharp Funeral Home ((865) 435-7261; email: sharpfuneralhome@aol.com; Attention: Mr. Jimmy Smith regarding Robert Luxmoore) and provide your contact information. Details will be sent to you at a later time. Memorial contributions can be made to the Unicorn Fund (P.O. Box 456, Wartburg, TN 37887), Statewide Organizing for Community eMpowerment Resource Project (SOCM Resource Project; 2507 Mineral Springs Ave, Suite D, Knoxville, TN 37917; www.socm.org) or The Carter Center (One Copenhill, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307; www.cartercenter.org).

The Sharp Funeral Home of Oliver Springs is serving the family. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com.