LOGAN, Utah-Professor Emeritus Arthur H. Holmgren, age 80, died December 24, 1992, at his home in Logan.
Holmgren was a recognized mentor, educator, researcher, authority, on western U.S. flora, plant explorer, environmentalist, conservationist, gardener, and music aficionado.He was born November 18, 1912 in Midvale to Axel Herman and Anna Carlson Holmgren. On May 10, 1934, he married Doris Edstrom. Prof. Holmgren graduated from Murray High School, where he served as student body president in his senior year. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Utah in 1936 and his MS degree from Utah State Agricultural College (USU) in 1942. Additional graduate work was done at University of California at Berkeley.
Prior to joining the staff of Utah State University, Prof. Holmgren worked for the Desert Range Experiment Station near Milford, Utah, 1936-37; served as Chief-of-Party of the Range and Economic Survey in Elko County, Nevada, 1937-41; and worked at the Squaw Butte Experiment Station, Harney County, Oregon (Oregon State University and Bureau of Land Management), 1942-43. He served as Professor of Botany and Curator of the Intermountain Herbarium, Utah State University, from 1943 until his retirement in 1978. In the 1980's he taught at the Teton Science School, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
He was the recipient of many honors, including Outstanding Educator in America, 1972; Robin's Award for Professor of the Year, 1975; the Faculty Honors Lecture, 1977; a special award of merit by the State Arboretum of Utah, University of Utah, for outstanding achievements as an honored teacher, a research botanist, writer, and chronicler of the unique plants of Utah in the Intermountain Flora, 1983; Jim Bridger Award, 1988.
Music and gardening were a major part of his life. He played violin in the University of Utah and Utah State University symphonies and served for many years as a leader in the Cache Valley Civic Music Association and Utah State's Lyceum Committee. He was an avid gardener. He gardens were unique for his selection of native species and unusual horticultural varieties and were a favorite showcase for local gardeners and garden clubs.
He was active in many societies, including American Institute of Biological Science, American Rock Garden Society, American Society of Plant Taxonomists, Botanical Society of America, California Native Plant Society, Northern Nevada Native Plant Society, Sierra Club, Sigma Xi, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Utah Native Plant Society and Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters.
He is survived by his wife, Doris; two sons, Dennis of Houston, Texas; and Noel, White Plains, New York; two daughters, Marianne Walsh, Seal Beach, Calif.; and Judy Burton, Minneapolis, Minn.; eight grandchildren; one brother, Melvin, Silverdale, Wash.; two sisters, Esther Costello, Midvale; and Evelyn Weech, Salt Lake City. One sister, Lily Carothers preceded him in death.
Friends may call at the Allen-Hall Mortuary in Logan, Monday, December 28th, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, 1471 So. 1100 East, SLC, Ut 84105-2423.
A memorial services will be held at a date to be announced.
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