RIP: Fred Hillerman

[calvin_orchidL]

For those of you who have been growing Angs for a while, this name will undoubtedly have caught your attention. I was never privileged enough to ever visit The Angraecum House (or even Hoosiers) but I am grateful for the work this man has done for Angraecoids and bringing them into the light of mainstream orchid growing. His legacy will live on, I'm sure.

His death follows the passing of Joyce Stewart in January. These two were the cornerstone of African Orchids and Angraecoids...to have both gone in one year is truly tragic and a huge loss for the orchid world. I'm hoping that renewed interest in these orchids in the young blood will keep their memory alive.

For more details

[Jorch]

Sad news for sure!

I didn't know both Joyce and Fred passed away this year. What a tragic year for Ang lovers worldwide

[smweaver]

Yes, very sad about Mr. Hillerman's passing. But he certainly had a passion for this group of orchids. I can remember how thrilled I was to find an old copy of his original Angraecum book back in the late 90s, and the catalogs that were sent out from The Angraecum House (before Hoosier Orchids got their paws on his stock) were always anticipated with excitement. All around, Mr. Hillerman was a remarkable guy. It's too bad that there don't appear to be that many humble "old school" orchid growers around any longer. Now we're left with a deluge of self-professed experts who seem more interested in promoting themselves rather than encouraging others. The current state of the orchid hobby is a bit depressing. Thanks, Calvin, for posting this.