Dr. Wesley Ford Nuttall

Wes was born to Ford and Gladys Nuttall at the Regina General Hospital in 1930. He grew up on a small farm near Pense. Twin sisters Joan and Joyce completed the family. Farming, school and sports were a big part of his early life. Farm life included driving his sisters 3 ½ miles from the farm to school with a horse and buggy, and also a cutter. Wes was always a good farmer, accomplished athlete and an excellent student.

Wes graduated from Pense High School in 1948. He then worked on the farm while attending Success Business College and then worked in Regina. In 1954, Wes entered the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture. He graduated with a B.S.A in 1958 and a M.Sc in 1960. In 1959, he had met Joan (Evans), and they were married in May of 1960. After two years of assessing land, Wes and Joan moved to St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec. Wes obtained his PhD at Macdonald College of McGill University. While studying at McGill he learned to work with very large computers. Upon graduation in 1965, with new baby James, Wes and Joan moved to Melfort, SK. A career ensued with Agriculture Canada at the Melfort Research Station.

Wes was a dedicated scientist throughout his career in Melfort. His research involved studying methods to improve soil fertility. Those studies included the effects of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur on yields of cereals, canola and forages. Wes often collaborated with others and the results were passed on to producers and published in scientific journals. His interest in research on soil fertility continued long after retirement.

In Melfort, baby Lynzee was added to the family in 1967. Wes was very busy with community activities. He was an avid golfer, became a member of the Melfort Masonic Lodge, joined the Lions Club, sang in the Melfort United Church choir, curled, played hockey, and helped with Minor Sports and the children’s activities. Summers were full of outdoor sports, camping, including trips to the west coast. An outdoor rink was constructed in the backyard every winter for family fun and cherished memories. Wes excelled at mechanical work, construction, carpentry and woodworking. Numerous projects were successfully completed at the home in Melfort, including intricately designed items of furniture for his children.

In 1987-88, the opportunity arose to spend a year of transfer at work in Mosgiel, New Zealand. Wes and Joan took on the sabbatical as an adventure. Work there was on sulphur uptake by canola. Wes took early retirement in 1991, purchased a home in Saskatoon and continued to work as a visiting scientist for several years. He was a member of the Wildwood Golf Club, the Nutana Lions Club and its many projects, and the choir at St. Paul’s United Church. Wes and Joan moved to their Hyde Park View condominium in 2017, where they had lots of activities and new friends.

Wes was predeceased by his parents, Ford and Gladys Nuttall, his sisters Joyce (Doug) MacGillivray, Joan (Don) Frew, and nephew Paul MacGillivray. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Joan, son James (Hali Autio), daughter Lynzee (Terry Klippenstein), grandson Jake (Melissa) Klippenstein, granddaughter Nikita (Kyle) Moore, great grandchildren Penelope, Theodore, Ophelia and Atticus Klippenstein and Katarina Moore, in-laws Ernie and Jean Masiowski and their sons Adam, Paul (Yuka) and children Elijah, Koyuki, and Isaiah, sister Joyce’s daughters Carolee MacGillivray and Melanie (Stuart) Downing and their families, and sister Joan’s children Kathy (Brent) Hancock and Grant (Nadia) Frew and their families.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at St. Paul’s Hospital Medical Unit who cared for Wes in his last days.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held in spring of 2026. Wes’ final resting place will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Saskatoon.