The work of Bill Hutcheon helped transform the lives of countless cocoa growers across the globe.
The north-east botanist, who has died aged 75, devoted his entire life to farming, and played an instrumental role in helping future generations find their feet in the industry.
Born in 1945, he was brought up on his family’s farm of Upper Aucheoch at Maud, later taking it over from his parents and expanding it from 45 aces to 170.
Mr Hutcheon attended Peterhead Academy then Aberdeen University, where he obtained a first-class degree.
While working there as a lecturer in botany, he moved to Ghana in 1969 as part of a government-funded programme.
At the time around 90% of the country’s agricultural output was cocoa, but the industry had been left “devastated” following the emergence of a viral disease.
Over eight years, Mr Hutcheon was part of a small team working to breed new varieties of the crop resistant to it.
On his return to Aberdeen, he used his research to help him achieve a doctorate then began lecturing at North of Scotland College of Agriculture, which later became part of the Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) then Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
He was committed to his students, and was well-known for the “comprehensive, meticulous and detailed” information he would pass on.
Devoted to the cause, he would “bend over backwards” to ensure they left college with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the industry.
Towards the end of his career he helped set up the SAC degree in agriculture course, and was manager of all SRUC agriculture learning.
Dr Hutcheon retired from this role at 60, but remained involved in teaching at SAC and Alford Academy on a part-time basis.
He was presented with the Royal Northern Agricultural Society and Aberdeen and Northern Marts’ prize in 2011 as recognition for his achievements.
Dr Hutcheon’s wife Janis said: “Bill was a quiet, hardworking, deeply studious, kind and helpful man with a phenomenal memory.
“He held strong views but respected the opinions of others and he liked a good-going debate on varied subjects with colleagues.
“His interests were not confined to farming as he enjoyed watching the financial markets and antiques. He enjoyed golf.
“Bill was a vibrant, energetic, generous and intelligent man who was a perfectionist in everything he did.
“Colleagues and students valued his opinion and his wisdom and he was held in high regard by everyone.”
A spokesman for SRUC said: “Bill was a passionate north-east farmer, involved in the NFUS, and a hugely keen and able golfer.
“When his wife Janis could persuade him to leave the farm, they enjoyed holidays abroad.
“Bill will be much missed by many of us and we pass on our condolences to Janis at this sad time.”
