Hmmm...that's almost like asking why a lawyer needs to know the law. If a chemist never learns chemistry, they are sure to mess something up at some point...and all those science-y things can be quite dangerous, I believe, so it would make sense that some training in the art of chemistry would be necessary.
Chemistry.
Chemistry.
Consider chemistry.
A person that studies chemistry is called a student of chemistry.A person that successfully studied chemistry (trained in chemistry) and earned a degreeis called a chemist or a pharmacist (British English).
In order to be a chemist you will need a Bachelors of Science degree with an emphasis in Chemistry. You will need to take the equivalent of 40 semester hours of chemistry related classes plus your general education courses to ear the degree.
Chemistry
A soil chemist is first of all a chemist, so a degree in chemistry (preferably a 4-year one) is a start. Then some geology minors and you're off to the lab to work as a soil chemist. An associates in chemistry might get you a start, but you better be picking up course work and heading for the B.S. in chemistry if you're serious.
No, he was not a chemist and I would guess he didn't know much about chemistry.
Cause theres no chemistry when theres no chemist
If you want to go into a scientific profession, there aren't many ways to bypass chemistry.
One can study chemistry but not be a career chemist. However, a career chemist would study chemistry and then continue to do so throughout most of their lives.
Chemistry, calculus, physics, biology would help. Then a chemist degree.