Robert W. Rosenbrook

Dr. Robert W. Rosenbrook had a productive 32-year career as a plant breeder, mentor, research coordinator, and research director with Pioneer Hi-Bred. He was located in Minnesota throughout his career, both in Mankato and Willmar.

From 1968 through 2000, he held the positions of Corn Research Station Manager, Corn Research Coordinator, Regional Research Director, Senior Scientist, and Coordinator for Product Characterization and Commercialization.

Dr. Rosenbrook was responsible for the development of 18 corn inbred lines used commercially and 33 Pioneer® brand commercial hybrids, of which 3780, 3732, 3790, 3737 and 3751 led to rapid growth in market share for Pioneer in the upper Midwest and Canada in the 1970s and 1980s that established Pioneer as the clear leader in the Northern Corn Belt.

In addition, he directed Pioneer's silage characterization program from 1985 through 2000. In this role, he provided leadership and worked closely with Research Information Management, Sales and Marketing in developing approaches and techniques to better characterize, position and advance superior products for our customers.

As a research coordinator and director, he hired and trained a number of the next generation of corn breeders for Pioneer.