The University of Alberta banner is flying at half-mast from January 20-24, 2022 in remembrance of Dr. George Foxcroft, Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, Canada Research Chair in Swine Reproductive Physiology, and
Leader of Swine Reproduction Development Program.
On December 6, 2021 George passed away unexpectedly while cross country skiing on one of his favorite trails at the Blackfoot Recreational Area.
George was born on December 8, 1944 to Kate and Spencer Foxcroft in Leeds, England. He is survived by Margaret, his wife of 52 years, children Simon (Tara), Michael (Jessica), and Katherine (Brad), and his beloved grandchildren Emma, Megan, Spencer, Will, Jonah, Ben, Ollie, Jamie, and Anna.
George attended Pocklington School in Yorkshire and following many formative summers working on farms in the Norfolk area, he went on to complete an undergraduate degree in agriculture at the University of Nottingham. Obtaining his PhD in 1972, he completed post-doctoral studies at the University of Illinois before returning to a position as lecturer and researcher at the Sutton Bonington campus of the University of Nottingham.
Moving to Canada in 1988, George was appointed to an NSERC-Industry Research Chair in Swine Reproductive Physiology at the University of Alberta. In 2001 he was one of the first individuals from the University of Alberta appointed to a Senior Canada Research Chair and he is widely regarded as a world leader in swine reproductive research. He championed the marriage of science and industrial application.
After family and science, George's true passion was rugby, and a conversation with him inevitably involved an update on his two favorite teams, Leicester Tigers and England. Coming in a close second was his incredible vegetable garden that never failed to yield a bumper crop.
Following retirement, George was able to pursue his love of cross-country skiing and he dedicated much energy to the Canadian Birkebeiner Society, most recently as Chief of Course and Board Vice President. He spent many happy hours helping manage the ski trails at the Blackfoot Recreational Area. An avid skier himself, he proudly completed the full Torskeklubben Birkebeiner race in 2018 at age 74.
The original obituary can be found here.
For information about lowering the University of Alberta banner, visit the In Memoriam webpage.