History of the Foundation
When Gus was elected into the SAF Floriculture Hall of Fame in 1973, the citation stated that he was “An innovator and stimulator of research, influential educator, and respected businessman, Gus Poesch has made an idelible mark in his profession.”
Gus Poesch was born in Lockwood, Missouri, and moved with his parents to Monroe, Michigan. When he was 10, he began working in the greenhouse of Otto Krbn. His college education began at Michigan State College (University). He was a charter member of the Delta Chapter of Pi Alpha Xi, the national floriculture / landscape horticulture scholastic honorary fraternity along with Alex 
Laurie and Kenneth Post. After graduating in 1930, Gus and Alex Laurie went to The Ohio State University where he earned a M. S. degree and subsequently, was on the faculty. During his 11 years at Ohio State, Gus and Prof Laurie established the photoperiodic (light/dark) responses of chrysanthemums so that this crop could be flowered year round.
In 1941, Gus joined the Fred C. Gloeckner and Co., Inc. His accomplishments and recognitions during nearly a half century with the Gloeckner organization are too numerous to list. It is sufficient to note that Gus was a member of the President’s Club at the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University, and The Ohio State University. He was active for many years in Alpha Gamma Rho, a national agriculture fraternity. He traveled throughout Asia, North America, Europe, and South America visiting floriculture establishments. He was recognized by The Ohio State University and Michigan State University as a Distinguished Alumnus. Lastly, he served on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Florists’ Association and was the first president of the Ohio State Floriculture/Landscape Horticulture Alumni Association.
Gus’ tenure for a decade and a half as chairperson of the Ohio Florist Short Course Planning Committee ranks as one of his most significant contributions. This committee plans the program for the OFA Short Course. Under Gus’ leadership, the Short Course increased significantly in quality and attendance and is now considered by many as the industry event. Although Gus has maintained an enormously busy schedule, he always found time to encourage, support, and guide young people, whether they were interested in industry or education. The list of young people he influenced would be endless.
It is due to Gus’ activity with young people that the G. H. “Gus” Poesch Floriculture Endowment was established at The Ohio State University. The objective of the G. H. “Gus” Poesch Floriculture Endowment (GPE) are as follows:
1. Funding the recruitment of high quality floriculture graduate students to The Ohio State University.
2. Funding of floriculture graduate student research at The Ohio State University.
3. Funding of floriculture graduate student travel to present research papers as a representative of The Ohio State University.
4. Funding of start-up costs for research, teaching, and extension of young floriculture faculty members of The Ohio State University.
5. Funding of educational travel (domestic and international) of young floriculture faculty at The Ohio State University.
The above objectives are in concert with Gus’ life-long assistance of young people in the field of floriculture.
Requests for funding from the G. H. Poesch Floriculture Endowment will be reviewed by a committee consisting of members of the Ohio Florists’ Association and Academiacs who are not located at The Ohio State University.
Fund raising for the G. H. “Gus” Poesch Floriculture Endowment will be a combined effort between the Ohio Florists’ Association and the American Floral Endowment (AFE). All contributions will be part of the AFE Corpus.
