March 31, 2009
CHUB HARPER
It is with sad regret that I note here the recent passing of Justin "Chub" Harper and Richard (Dick) Bush. Both had an influence on my life, each in his own way. Their passing leaves few of the "old timers" to share their knowledge and expertise and, most of all, their friendship, with the following generations.
I don't consider myself a member of the "older generation", but I am rapidly becoming part of it. I came into the world of conifers and stayed there at an in-between time. All of the major collectors were anywhere from 15 to 30 years older than me. They gave me guidance and help along with major encouragement to become deeply involved in the conifer world.
I first heard about Chub soon after starting Coenosium Gardens when a contingent from Hidden Lakes visited to purchase plants to add to the Harper Collection. Later I met Chub at an American Conifer Society meeting. He became very involved with the society and was a driving force behind the creation of its Central Region and its large, enthusiastic membership.
We once spent five days together running around the midwest in his van. I got special treatment visiting his garden donations and some of his many friends throughout the area. Staying with him and Anna made the visit a real delight.
Dianne and I were able to spend time with Chub this past summer at the ACS National Meeting in Iowa where he received a much deserved award for his role in plant introductions and support of the society, an award he much deserved.
(Pictures below)
DICK BUSH
I first met Dick Bush at the first annual meeting of the American Conifer Society in Washington, DC. Dick was lecturing about a technique he had developed for grafting Canadian hemlocks. He was traveling with his close friend, Jean Iseli. After the meeting I took Dick and Jean and Cindy Pease to visit a few of my conifer friends on the east coast.
Dick's passing occurred just a day before Chub's. For this reason he may not be as well remembered, especially since illness had restricted Dick's life in many ways for the past fifteen years.
When he was able, Dick was one of the strongest supporters of the American Conifer Society. He attended national meetings whenever possible and was always signing up new members. He actively searched for new plants and did introduce some nice ones.
Dick's nursery had about five acres of blackberries because Dick liked to pick them and enjoyed offering visitors the same opportunity. He had trout ponds in his lower property (which he made by dynamiting a swampy area). He also had assorted waterfowl (even a pair of black swans). Dick would often sell plants below cost to help another nurseryman.
Dick loved to fly and owned a small plane for much of his life. He used to fly to Iseli Nursery and land on the grounds to have lunch with Jean. His bright yellow plane was easily identified when he flew over the main office.
Dick was an excellent grafter and often gave seminars and would speak at local ACS meetings. He was one of the first to adapt a callous tube for grafting European beech trees.
When we moved to Aurora, Oregon, Dick was our first visitor (our first night in our new house) bringing a cornucopia of Chinese takeout for our first meal.
Dick was a good friend for many years and deserves recognition both as a nurseryman and as a strong supporter of the American Conifer Society.
Chub Harper
The left and right photos were taken when I traveled with Chub to see Hidden Lake. The center photo was taken at an ACS national meeting.
Dick Bush
Left picture shows Dick at an ACS meeting in British Columbia. The center picture shows him(R) at an ACS meeting in Chicago. The right picture shows him(R) at an ACS meeting in Oregon talking to Gordon Bentham(L).
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