“Pepe” de la Torre Memorial Tribute
A memorial has been established within the American Floral Endowment honoring Jose Maria “Pepe” de la Torre. The tribute was established by Floral & Nursery Times.
Floral & Nursery Times, a leading publication in the floral industry, traditionally establishes a special tribute each year in conjunction with its Crystal Star Award, which recognizes distinguished service within the floriculture industry and the community. De la Torre is the sixteenth 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, he 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 Awards (only three have been awarded.)
In the United States, he has been inducted into the Society of American Florists’ Hall of Fame and received the Leland T. Kintzele Distinguished Service Award from the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association (WF&FSA).
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 ten largest companies in Colombia.
He was also instrumental in the creation of Asocolflores, the Association of Flower Exporters, and helped create ProFlora, Florverde, the Colombia Flower Council, and the Flower Promotion Organization.
Education was one of his primary concerns. He helped create the University of Los Andes, one of the eminent universities of Colombia, and served on the Board of Trustees for more than 50 years.
He has also helped to establish Colegio Los Nagales in Bogotá, a high school for young adults, and 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 is survived by his wife Maria and four children: Joaquin, Nicolas, Lorenzo, and Camila.
American Floral Endowment Memorial Tributes provide a way to honor family members, friends and associates in a special and lasting manner. Once established, contributions can be made in any amount. To contribute, send a check designated to the Pepe de la Torre Memorial to the American Floral Endowment. The family is always notified. As a 501(c)(3) organization, all contributions are tax deductible.
