1970 Leonard John Wild - Obituary

The late Dr Wild, as Pro-Chancellor, University of New Zealand, at an earlier Lincoln College Graduation ceremony (G. Mason (58-59) the recipient).

When Dr L. J. Wild died in Wellington on 23 July, 1970, at the age of 80 there were tributes on his life and work in the interests of secondary school and university education. He had been the foundation headmaster of Feilding High School 1922-1946; Pro-Chancellor of the former University of New Zealand; active on numerous education committees including the former School of Agriculture, Chairman University Research Committee, President Royal Agricultural Society of N.Z.

He wrote extensively and was author of several books and was awarded the O.B.E. (1945), C.B.E. (1952) and made an honorary D.Sc. (Otago University, 1957). The facts of his early life at Lincoln College were not noted in the public obituaries but he himself always retained the closest personal interest in the place where he had been lecturer in chemistry and physics 1915-20. He lived in one of the College cottages with his young family including his eldest son, now Sir Richard Wild, Chief Justice. At Lincoln he conducted good lectures and laboratories, initiated the first soil researches, was a playing member of the rugby team, commanded first as lieutenant then captain, the College Military Unit which functioned between 1912-20. He supervised the production of the College magazine and was instrumental in preserving records of students who took part in World War I and as a result it was possible to compile the lists for the Rolls of Honour later erected in the Memorial Hall.

He took a special interest in the degree students who began to enrol during the time he was at the College. His Saturday Night Club became a forum that has been spoken of with appreciation by several of the College's first graduates who later rose to prominent positions in this country. Before he left the College he wrote his book on "Soils and Manures in New Zealand" which later went to 5 editions and for 40 years was the only work of its kind available.

His abiding interest in the College enabled him to write with authority on the history of agricultural education (Ref. Encyclopedia of New Zealand) and in 1946 at the invitation of the Old Students' Association he delivered the inaugural Hilgendorf Lecture.

He is survived by his wife, I daughter and 3 sons, the youngest being J. Peter Wild, Motueka, who completed the Intensive and Dip. V.F.M. courses at the College in 1946-47. Source: 1970 Lincoln College Magazine, 58.