Robert D. Espeseth, Associate Professor and Recreation Resource Specialist, Office of Recreation and Tourism Development, Cooperative Extension Service and Department of Leisure Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Coordinator, Illinois Indiana Sea Grant Program.
Born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, graduated from the University of Wisconsin, receiving a B.S. degree in landscape architecture in 1952, and an M.S. in landscape architecture and regional planning in 1956.
Prior to joining the University of Illinois faculty in 1973, Mr. Espeseth was Chief of Park and Recreation Resources Planning for Ellis, Arndt, and Truesdell, Inc., a private consulting firm in Flint, Michigan. He also served as Deputy Director and Chief of Planning and Development for the Genesee County (Michigan) Parks and Recreation Commission. From 1955 to 1967, Mr. Espeseth was the Chief of Park Planning for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of State Parks and Recreation.
Mr. Espeseth is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), the American Society for Landscape Architects (ASLA) as well as other professional associations and societies. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees, NRPA. He is a past president of the National Society for Parks and Resources (NSPR), the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association, the Wisconsin Chapter ASLA, Parks and Natural Resource Management Section (IPRA), and Midwest State Park Association. He has served on many committees for these organizations an has participated in many state, regional and national conferences as a speaker and panelist.
Mr. Espeseth received the American Institute of Park Executives Distinguished Served Award (1965); the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association Mr. President Award (1967); Outstanding Professional, Great Lakes Regional Council (1984); Meritorious Service Award, National Society for Park Resources (1985); Park Professional of the Year, Parks and Natural Resource Management Section (IPRA) (1987); and Sustained Excellence in Extension Programming (1991).
Mr. Espeseth has written many articles for professional journals and magazines. He has been a guest lecturer or visiting critic at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Colorado State University, and University of Wisconsin at Madison, at LaCrosse, and at Stevens Point.