The American Floral Endowment ( AFE ) announce a raw memorial tribute in retentiveness of Dr. Harold F. Wilkins , Professor Emeritus , Department of Horticulture , University of Minnesota , who overstep away on January 7 , 2021 . Dr. Wilkins was a major force in the floriculture world , make ideas , generating research , and mentoring students that profoundly influenced diligence and academic charge . The $ 1,000 fund was established by Royal Heins , one of his students and professional confrere .
A fan of flowers for all his life , Harold was born in Cobden , Union County , Illinois . His entire family line , including his parents J. Harley and Pauline Wilkins , was demand in the gardening business enterprise . A 1951 alumnus of Anna Jonesboro High School , he advance to the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign where he earned his B.S. , M.S. , and Ph.D. Then follow windup of his PhD , he spent an additional two year of study in post - harvest physiology at the University of Florida at Bradenton . From 1966 to 1989 , he instruct and served as the extension floriculture professor at the University of Minnesota ’s Saint Paul campus . Beloved by his many student , he consider them his Logos and daughter and their minor his grandchild .
His research over the years included many floral craw with a special nidus on cool weather crops that would require less energy for production . Dr. Wilkins ’ inquiry help make the multi - million clam Alstroemeria industriousness here in the U.S. and he is moot the “ Father of the Alstroemeria Industry . ” to boot , his research include separate control for roses , carnation , and poinsettias . He and his graduate student , John Dole , author two editions of Floriculture Species and Production , now the standard text at university worldwide .
Teaching was a joy for Harold and his area of expertness included floral harvest , bulb physiology , and floral design where he create the “ Wilkins ’ Bow . ” As an extracurricular activity with undergraduate scholar , he coach the intercollegiate flower judging teams at Cornell University , University of Minnesota , and Ohio State . century of his students continue to amaze their employers and families with their floral knowledge .
After retreat from the University of Minnesota in 1989 , he consulted in the San Francisco area for one of the largest cut flower and potted flowering wholesale grower in North America . His responsibility was to find and bring into product new species . Thereafter he was awarded the D.C. Kiplinger Chair at The Ohio State University . Next , he research at the Hebrew University in Rehovot for two winters , explored new species at Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden in South Africa for two winter as well as Australia for one season .
In November 2005 , Harold and his better half Bryan Gjevre set about a new “ retirement ” speculation . They buy an 9 - acre farm near Baldwin , Wisconsin , and were so sure of the sales event that they planted 24 tulips on the land before closing the sight . Since 2005 , they have planted unusual woody and herbaceous ornamentals to sell to unique floral shops in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin . The “ Wilkins ’ Bow ” was hand - crafted by Harold for many redolence while his customers watched the complicated operation .
Over the years Harold has received numerous floriculture industry accolade , including but not restrain to the Society of American Florists ’ laurels which respect him for his research and his graduate student grooming efforts . The President and Mrs. Rosalyn Carter present this award to him in April 1988 .
Harold Wilkins had a major encroachment on the floriculture industriousness and academics . With his large - than - life personality and tireless energy , he leaves behind Bryan Gjevre and many bookman and colleagues . His remembering will be keep live through their tarradiddle of his generosity , veneration , and service and occasionally , stories of roguery , havoc , and mischance !
For more information : American Floral Endowment+1 ( 703 ) 838-5211www.endowment.org
