Ronald Weinkauf

Ronald A. Weinkauf, emeritus professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, died recently at the age of 71 following a lengthy illness.

Weinkauf earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a master’s degree from the University of Oregon. He received his PhD from Oregon State University in 1963. He joined UW-La Crosse in 1979 and retired twenty years later as a full professor.

Weinkauf specialized in satellite remote sensing and GIS. He developed the geography and earth science department’s remote sensing curriculum, which is still being taught as part of the program in GIScience. His National Science Foundation grants helped launch the department’s GIS computer laboratory facilities in 1989. Weinkauf started the GIS internship program with the former Environmental Mapping and Technical Center (which became the Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center), a part of the U.S. Geological Survey. He also received grants to conduct workshops in remote sensing and earth science for K-12 teachers in the La Crosse, Wisconsin area.

Weinkauf was involved with many professional organizations throughout his career, including the AAG, North American NOAA Polar-Orbiting Users Group, National Science Foundation, Wisconsin Geographical Society, Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center, and the Wisconsin Land Information Association.

Ronald A. Weinkauf (Necrology).2008. AAG Newsletter 43(1): 14.

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