Saddened to report that Steve Doonan of Grand Ridge Nursery passed away Friday after a very brief illness. He was an extremely keen, generous and talented plantsman. He was perhaps the expert on Diapensiaceae. We will never forget his stunning show displays of Shortias, alpine Primulae and Kabschias nor his wonderful talks. Our Rhododendron Chapter invited him here 20 years ago and he gave a rivetting talk on pot drainage with the same enthusiasm that he had for everything in life - the enthusiasm of a 20 year old. He came back to speak here just 2 years ago and was as ebullient as ever.
A friend said when Steve heard of his diagnosis he got out all the articles he had ever written and was revising them. Let's hope he had the time to do so.
johnw
