_______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
Dr. Gavino B. Rotor Jr., of Signal Mountain, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005,
at his home. He was born in Manila, Philippines, March 26, 1917, the son
of Engracia and Gavino B. Rotor Sr. A graduate of the University of the
Philippines with a bachelor's degree, he came to the United States in 1946.
He entered Cornell University, where he received his master's degree and in
1952, he was the first person in the nation to receive his Ph.D for his
study on the growth and flowering of orchids. At Cornell, he was a member
of Phi Kappa Phi and was elected to the Society for Advancement of
Research. From 1954 to 1958, he worked at Rivermont Orchids on Signal
Mountain as director of research. In 1957, he was guest speaker at the 4th
World Orchid Congress in Hawaii on his use of Colchicine to increase
chromosome count in Cattleya orchids. In 1958, he and fellow Cornell
graduate, Bob Enck, founded Crestwood Orchids on Fairmount Road, Signal
Mountain. Here they amassed an outstanding collection of rare and fine
orchids. Their orchid exhibits were always greatly admired at the orchid
shows held in Mid-America. In March 1979, Crestwood Orchids received the
Gold Medal Certificate for its exhibit in the Tennessee Valley Orchid Show
in Chattanooga. In 1961, he was appointed as Judge for the Mid-America
Judging Center in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1983; he became an American Orchid
Society Judge Emeritus. He is survived by his friend and partner, Bob
Enck; sister, Cora (Fidel) Decastro; nieces, Eva Swenson and Rita Bailey;
great-niece, Lisa Valencia-Swenson. Graveside services will be 2 p.m.
Friday at Chattanooga Memorial Park with the Rev. Father Peter Iorio
officiating. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. today and 12:30 -1:30 p.m. Friday
at the funeral home. Visit www.lane-coulterchapel.com
<www.lane-coulterchapel.com. Arrangements by Lane Funeral Home, Coulter
Chapel, 601 Ashland Terrace. 877-3524.
- [OGD] RIP Gavino Rotor K Barrett
- [OGD] RIP Gavino Rotor William Z Rehrig
