We have received a lovely letter from Phyllis Gustafson in Oregon about Jim.
Phyllis is the co-auther of 'Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest' and ran a small seed collection business.
Here is Phyllis' message:
Dear Margaret and Ian,
It was with great sorrow that we read your announcement of the death of Jim. He was a great friend and both Richard and I loved having Jim and Jenny here.
Jim knew the Siskiyous like the back of his hand. We would go to some of his favorite places and he showed me where some of our special native plants grow. He kept meticulous notes and re-read when needed. When arriving at the site of some rare plant he and Jenny would walk up a slope or down a canyon and there the plant would be, behind a rock or tree or under a bush. We will miss their happy voices on the phone and their visits. We have never met more cheerful and thoughtful people.
I will never forget a trip with Jim, Jenny and Boyd Kline through some of the wildest parts of the Klamath Range.
May the members of the wide alpine world grow as many as possible of the Archibald introductions to honor this marvellous man.
Phyllis