Jo Ellen “Joey” Schwanke, AAF, NAFD, PFCI, dedicated her life to flowers. From a childhood spent playing at — and later operating — the family greenhouses and flower shop, to her leadership... Read more
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) announced a new memorial tribute in memory of John M. Hodapp, who passed unexpectedly on Feb. 11, 2022. John was senior vice president of agency operation... Read more
The floral industry lost many bright lights in the last year, including two SAF past presidents. If there are other floral industry member names and links to obituaries that should be added... Read more
Robert “Bob” Williams II, past president and chairman of the Society of American Florists, retired vice president of Smithers-Oasis’ North American operations, mentor to many, and the most r... Read more
Paul Shinoda Jr., a past president of the Society of American Florists’ board of directors, died July 20. He was 83. Shinoda’s career in the horticulture industry began in the early 1960’s w... Read more
Ellen Ellison, who, along with her husband, Jim, was inducted into SAF’s Floricultural Hall of Fame in 2019, passed away on June 4, 2021. Ellen, known as a trailblazer in the floral industry... Read more
Klazina Dobbe, of Holland America Flowers LLC, passed away peacefully on February 5. Wife of Benno Dobbe and mother of former SAF board member Ben Dobbe, Klazina was an inspirational force b... Read more
Florists in Indiana are grieving the loss of Society of American Florists member Linda Taylor, owner of Bowden Flowers, this week. Taylor and her shop manager, Tamara Burton, were on their w... Read more
Paul A. Thomas, Ph.D., a renowned researcher, prolific speaker and champion of budding horticulturists, died Saturday, Sept. 14. He was 65. Thomas devoted his life to the study of horticultu... Read more
If you’ve called, emailed or stopped by the Society of American Florists’ headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, sometime in the past 18 years, chances are, you talked with Krissy Doyle, the... Read more
