The late Dr. Rajender Kumar Grover was born on I^st April, 1931 at Gujaranwal, Punjab erstwhile India (now in Pakistan).  He did his matriculation from D.A.V. High School, Lahore in 1946 and B.Sc. from Government College, Hoshiarpur in 1950. He obtained his M. Sc. (Botany) from Saugar University, Sagar (M.P.) in 1952. He joined as Associate at IARI, New Delhi in 1952 and subsequently Research Associate till July, 1957. He completed his PhD from Wisconsin Univ. Madison, USA in 1961 under the guidance of Prof. J. D. Moore. 

Dr. Grover after returning from USA joined as lecturer in Botany at Punjab Univ. Chandigarh and thereafter as Plant Pathologist at Punjab Agricultural University, Hisar Campus and was elevated to the post of Professor on Feb., 1973. 

He served as Professor and Head, Department of Plant Pathology, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar from Dec. 1969 to May 1974 and again from Nov. 1974 to Aug., 1978. He became Dean, College of Agriculture on May 1983. In 1986, Dr. Grover joined as Director of Resident Instruction-cum-Dean Postgraduate Studies at Share-Kashmir Univ. of Agril. & Technology Srinagar (J&K) and was there till Sept., 1990.  Dr. Grover superannuated from the active service on March 31st. 1991. After his retirement, he was coveted with the prestigious position of Emeritus Scientist at Department of Plant Pathology, HP Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur (H.P.) and remained there till 1995. 

Dr. Grover conducted research on various aspects of plant diseases especially on Bio-ecological interaction of fungitoxicants for efficient disease control. His contributions to the soil borne diseases management have been widely recognized throughout the world. The late Dr. Grover received many recognitions and awards instituted by various professional societies of India. 

Dr. Grover inspired and nurtured number of M. Sc. and Ph D students and many of his students are renowned academicians and administrators today. 

He has published number of Books, review articles and more than 250 research papers in National and International journals of repute. He was member of editorial board of Indian Phytopathological Society from 1974-76 and President of the society in 1985. He was also President of Indian Soc. of Mycology and Plant Pathology for the year 1988 and Editor -in-Chief 1981-1983.  He was member of various academic committees and Panel of expert constituted by ICAR, UGC, CSIR, DST and SAUs. 

He passed away on 30^th December, 2007.  

Dr. Grover is remembered with great respect and admiration not only by his students but also by his professional colleagues and farmers of the state.