Memorial Tribute Established in Memory of Ken Benjamin

He later served as chairman of Cenflo which produced nine different publications: Flower News, Grower’s Digest, Floral Mass Marketing, The Flower Book, Flora, Nursery News, The Nursery Book, Food Market News and the Deli Merchandiser. A fixture at most floral industry events, he also served as an AFE trustee for many years. “Ken has always been a good friend of our family and of the industry for many years,” said Jack Van Namen. “Ken never forgot a name or date. He was an icon and a unique individual whom all of us will remember.” or send a check to:American Floral Endowmentc/o Ken Benjamin Memorial Tribute610 Madison St, Ste 101, PMB 803Alexandria, VA 22314 The family is always notified of donations and contributions can be made in…

Tom Butler Family Fund Established Within AFE

Remembering an Industry Icon and AFE ChampionAFE Public Relations Chairman Charles Kremp looks on as Tom’s good friends accept recognition for The Tom Butler Family Fund on Tom’s behalf. From left to right: Jack Howard, Teleflora; Dave Gaul, DWF Wholesale Florist Company; Herman Meinders, emeritus Teleflora and Michael Martin, Teleflora.Renowned floral industry icon and AFE Development Chairman Tom Butler was recognized for establishing The Tom Butler Family Fund at AFE’s Annual Fundraising Dinner on Aug. 14 in Marco Island, Fla. Attended by more than 250 industry members, the dinner was held in conjunction with the Society of American Florists’ (SAF) Annual Convention. It was later that evening the industry learned Tom had passed away, surrounded by family after his battle…

AFE Memorial Tribute Established for Jack Giles

After graduating from the University of Utah in business, he served in the Air Force and eventually retired as captain. After returning home, he married, started a family that grew to three children and purchased Huddart from his father. Mr. Giles was very involved in the industry he loved, serving as the Society of American Florists (SAF) convention chairman in 1977 and as American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) chairman in 1981-1982. Additionally, he contributed his talents to committees in the Utah Allied Florist Association and Northwest Florists’ Association for 40-plus years. Among other accomplishments, he served on the FTD Membership Committee and the FTD President’s Council on Government and Industry Affairs. His exceptional achievement in the industry earned him FTD’s…

AFE Memorial Tribute Established for Ed and Dorothy Niklas

Ed was born into floriculture. In 1911, Ed’s father and grandfather became partners in Rahn and Herberts Greenhouses in Clackamas, which incorporated in 1922 as Clackamas Greenhouses, Inc. Ed met Dorothy in 1941 after graduating from the University of Oregon with a business degree. They were parted the next year when Ed enlisted in Officer Training School for the U.S. Marine Corps and spent the next several years in the Pacific Ocean theatre during World War II. He married Dorothy on his one stateside leave and was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Major. Eventually, the couple settled in Portland to raise a family that would grow to five children. In 1955, Ed purchased the half of Clackamas Greenhouses,…

Ross H. Pierce Memorial Tribute Established

or send a check to:American Floral Endowmentc/o Ross Pierce Memorial Tribute610 Madison Street, Ste. 101, PMB 803Alexandria, VA 22314 All AFE contributions are tax deductible, and the family is always notified of a donation.Memorial tributes are a way to remember and honor industry members, family and friends in a special and lasting manner. A $1,000 contribution establishes a tribute. Once established, contributions can be made in any amount.

Remembering Jacob Van Namen, Floral Industry Pioneer

Jacob Van Namen, founder of Vans Floral Products and former AFE Trustee, died March 31, 2013, in Chicago. He was 90.A successful businessman from Holland, Mr. Van Namen immigrated to the United States in 1955 with his wife Rita and two sons, Jack and John. The family settled in Chicago where Mr. Van Namen worked a variety of jobs until being hired by DeBoer Wholesale Florist.By 1960, he was a partner in the business and soon assumed ownership of the company, which became known as Van’s Wholesale Florists. “Van” grew the company from a single location in the Chicago area to 12 distribution centers in six states by the 1990s. As his family grew, his sons and daughter followed in…

Bill Belden Memorial Tribute Established

Belden, originally from Xenia, Ohio, spent the majority of his life in the floral industry. He got his start at the Oscar G. Carlstedt Company as a truck driver but left to serve in the U.S. Air Force. He returned to the company after his military service and was assigned to locations in West Palm Beach and Miami, and he was later appointed manager of the Ft. Lauderdale store. In 1965, he was named president. Bill was dedicated to his family, company, friends, suppliers and the entire floral industry. He served with local, state and national organizations, including: the Florida State Florists Association and various committees at the Society of American Florists (SAF). He was president of the Wholesale Florist…

Douglas K. Dillon Memorial Tribute Established

A memorial tribute has been established within AFE honoring Douglas K. Dillon, 85, who died September 30, 2011. The tribute was established by a $1,500 donation by the Board of Directors of Hortica Insurance, a leading insurance and employee benefits provider to garden centers, nurseries, retail florists, wholesale floral distributors, greenhouse growers, and other industry professions.“We are honored to establish the Douglas K. Dillon Memorial Tribute on behalf of our current Board of Directors”, Hortica CEO Mona Haberer said. “Doug served on Hortica’s Board for over 32 years, 16 of those as our Chairman. This memorial is a fitting salute to his dedication not only to our company, but also to the industry he loved.”Diagnosed with cancer in early 2009,…

Ernesto Velez Memorial Tribute Established

His death leaves the industry without its earliest and most vocal champion of the simple belief that the land on which your flowers grow and the people who grow deserve respect and protection. As Chairman of Asocolflores for an unprecedented seven terms, Velez shared that philosophy of social responsibility and environmental stewardship as he tirelessly promoted Colombian flowers and flower growers. Velez was equally passionate when talking about and working with his wife, Lucie. Together they spearheaded the creation and implementation of the Florverde program. Flowers with the Florverde label carry the guarantee that they have been grown in conditions that meet the highest social end environmental standards. “Ernesto dedicated most of his time to Asocolflores… fueling ideas and putting…

Will Carlson Memorial Tribute Established

He was responsible for establishing the Horticultural Demonstration Gardens and was the past Chairperson of the MSU Garden Consortium. He helped establish the Professional Plant Growers Association, was a director of the Garden Writers Association and lectured to garden groups throughout the country. Carlson earned many industry accolades, including the Floriculture Hall of Fame from the Society of American Florists and the H. Marc Cathey Award from the American Horticultural Society. or send a check to:American Floral Endowmentc/o Will Carlson Memorial Tribute610 Madison St, Ste 101, PMB 803Alexandria, VA 22314 The family is always notified of donations and contributions can be made in any amount.

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