International Aroid Society

I never had the pleasure to met either Tricia or Julius. However,

after joining IAS, and reading the journals, newsletters, and participating

in the Aroid-L forum, it is obvious that I was among special people.

Several years ago, I was speaking at a local community college, to

budding horticulture students. I was asked how you gained experience

and knowledge in this field.

I told the people assembled, that your classroom education,

was just the beginning of your assembling a body of work ( or knowledge).

Getting out into the world, and actually practicing your craft was another chapter

in your career.

I also said that some of us are lucky enough to have a mentor, and that

we find ourselves standing upon the shoulders of others. In the realm of

horticulture, there are those who have blazed a trail, who have taken the time,

or experienced failure, and after a time coupled with success, figured out the

mechanism of how something grows, or how a seed germinates,

and how to propagate the plant, that many said could not be propagated.

As I read Julius' writings, listened to his booming voice on those incredible recordings,

and digested his thoughts and words, it was apparent to me, that here

was one of those gifted people, whom we all have been enriched by.

I mourn his passing, and rejoice in his beginning a new adventure beyond this world.

To me, he is a friend I never had the chance to meet.

Michael Kolaczewski