American Floral Endowment Update - Fall 2003
Jerome F. Wagner Memorial Tribute Established
A Memorial Tribute has been established within the American Floral Endowment honoring Jerome F. Wagner, who died August 2, 2003. Donald Weder, President, and Wanda Weder, Senior Executive President of Highland Supply Corporation, a premier manufacturer of quality floral, gift basket, and decorative packaging for the floriculture industry, established the tribute.
Jerome was born in Detroit Lakes, Michigan, in 1918 and moved to the Magnolia area of Seattle in 1924. He began his floral career in 1936 when he started working at Kent Valley Greenhouses. He later went to work for David L. Jones Wholesale Floral Company in 1937. During World War II he worked simultaneously for David L. Jones, Washington Iron Works and managed Cherryland Floral Shop. Jerome eventually became owner of David L. Jones Wholesale Floral Company with branches in Seattle, Spokane. and Vancouver, B.C. In 1980, he became president of the Wholesale Florists and Floral Suppliers of America, the first Northwesterner ever to lead this organization.
Jerome was a true Renaissance man; he could do it all. He built two beautiful homes through self-taught carpentry the last one on the waterfront of Utsalady Bay on Camano Island. He was well known for his love of fishing, hunting, cooking, gardening, and traveling, and in 1972 he acquired a seaplane pilotÕs license. During his many happy years, Jerome acquired many friends through his business and travel pursuits.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, Patricia Robbins; two daughters, Pamela Workman and Celline Wagner-Johnson; four grandchildren; and two-great grandchildren.
ÔPepeÕ de la Torre Honored by Living Tribute
A Living Tribute has been established within the American Floral Endowment honoring Jose Maria "Pepe" de la Torre. The tribute was established by Floral & Nursery fines. Floral & Nursery Times, a leading publication in the floral industry. They traditionally establish a special tribute each year in conjunction with its Crystal Star Award, which recognizes distinguished service within the floriculture industry and the community. Pepe is the 16th industry leader and the first South American to be honored with the award.
Hailed as one of the founders of the South American flower industry, Pepe has received numerous awards from his native country, Colombia, and the United States, including one of the highest honors in Colombian floriculture, the Edgar Wells Award (only three have been awarded.) In the United States, he has been inducted into the Society of American FloristsÕ Hall of Fame and has received the Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award from the Wholesale Florist.
He began growing flowers in Colombia in 1972. He later formed Four Farmers in Miami, Florida, to market flowers with three other growers. The business grew from 12 acres to one of the 10 largest companies in Colombia. He also was instrumental in the creation of Asocolfiores, the Association of Flower Exporters, and helped create Pro Flora, Florverde, the Colombia Flower Council, and the Flower Promotion Organization. Education has long been one of his primary concerns. He helped create the University of Los Andes, an eminent university in Colombia and has served more than 50 years on its Board of Trustees. He has also helped to establish Colegio Los Nagales in Bogota, a high school for young adults. In addition, he has worked with Accion Cultural Popular, a nonprofit organization that developed a radiophonic school transmitting academic information via radio signals to students in remote areas of Colombia.
De la Torre and his wife Maria have four children Joaquin, Nicolas, Lorenzo, and Camila.
