Dr. James Clarence Rennie, who was an esteemed agricultural researcher, professor and Rotary Club member, passed away June 23.
Born in Blackwater in 1926, Rennie left at the age of 16 to study at the Ontario Agricultural College.
Rennie taught for 22 years at the University of Guelph, authored over 75 academic publications and pioneered the use of the computer to improve the quality of Ontario dairy herds.
In 1974 he became the assistant deputy minister for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
He also led the Semex Alliance/CIDA project in China, focusing on the improvement of dairy herd management and milk production in China.
After he “retired” in 1991, he joined the Rotary Club of Guelph.
Through his Rotary work, Rennie had a vision to improve the quality of water in Guelph Lake and increase the amount of forest in Guelph, thus the Rotary Forest was born.
His family said Rennie always saw the possibilities in new ideas. The farm, the university and then the forest were his community.
Rennie is survived by his wife of 64 years Shirley, their children Don and Cindy, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Guelph Rotary Club – Rotary Forest Fund at www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/rotary-club-of-guelph.
