| About | Students | Future Students | Alumni | Faculty/Staff |
Orr, Former "Dean of Flower Arranging," Dies
AUBURN, Ala. - Henry P. Orr, known as the "Dean of Flower Arranging," died March 16 at his home following an extended illness.
Orr, who retired from the Auburn University Department of Horticulture on Aug. 31, 1981, spent his 34 years in service to Auburn championing the use of native ornamental plants and establishing himself as the unchallenged expert on flower arranging and landscape design.
Orr's classes on flower arranging, landscape design and identification of woody shrubs, vines and trees for landscape use were always in great demand among Auburn students.
Orr's research, supported by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, was of great use to nurserymen, landscapers and homeowners. His studies covered a wide variety of subjects, including chrysanthemum production and the use of ornamental plants on highway rights-of-way for erosion control, beatification and highway safety.
Orr also worked closely with the Alabama Garden Club. He was honored by that organization with its Certificate of Merit, Distinguished Service Award and Life Membership.
Other honors included the L.M. Ware Distinguished Teacher Award, a Southern regional award given by the American Society of Horticultural Science; and Honorary State Farmer Degree from the Alabama Future Farmers of America. He held membership in Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Alpha Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, Gamma Sigma Delta honor societies and numerous professional organizations.
A native of Opelika, Orr received his B.S. degree from Auburn, then known as Alabama Polytechnic Institute, in 1942. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Ohio State University in 1947 and 1962, respectively. Orr joined the Auburn faculty as an assistant professor of horticulture in 1947 and was promoted to associate professor in 1953 and professor in 1962.
After his retirement, Orr continued his participation on the committee that oversees AU's Donald E. Davis Arboretum, which is used to maintain a collection of valuable and rare plants that are native to Alabama. An addition to the arboretum, which contains a display of native vines, is named after Orr.
"He made outstanding contributions to the field of horticulture and to our department," said Bill Dozier, head of Auburn's Department of Horticulture. "But his work extended outside the academic boundaries and he gave a great deal to the public through his work with garden clubs and other organizations."
"Dr. Orr did so much to build up this program and make it what it is today," added Bridget Behe, an associate professor in Auburn's ornamental horticulture program. "You can't talk about Auburn University Horticulture without talking about him."
Services for Orr were held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on March 20. Anyone wishing to honor Orr is asked to make contributions to Camp ASCAA or to their favorite charity.
-30-
News from:
Office of Ag Communications & Marketing
Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)
Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu
