04/25/2000

Alabama Horticulture Leader Self Dies

AUBURN, Ala.—Dr. Raymond Lester Self, 79, former superintendent of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station's Ornamental Horticulture Station in Mobile, Ala., died April 1 in Fairhope, Ala.

A native of Altoona, Ala., Self retired as superintendent in 1981 after spending some 30 years with the station and playing a vital role in the development of horticulture industry in South Alabama. Prior to joining the Experiment Station staff, Self received B.S. and M.S. degrees from Auburn University in 1942 and 1946, respectively, and received the Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in 1949. In the midst of his college years, he also served from three years with the U.S. Air Force, logging 48 missions as a B-24 navigator in the South Pacific.

Self's professional career began in 1949 when he joined the faculty of Auburn University as an assistant professor of botany and plant pathology. His first assignment at the Horticulture Station was to study phytophthora root rot, which was severely affecting azaleas and camellias in South Alabama. His work resulted in major breakthroughs that led to the growth of a multi-mullion dollar container industry for these plants. Self's work branched out to include studies of many other issues affecting the nursery industry, including pest and weed control, growing media issues, container production, cold damage prevention, lawn problems and use of growth retardants.

Self also developed a close working relationship with the Alabama nursery industry exemplified by the 104 grants-in-aid that brought in $126,855 to support a variety of projects. In addition, Self helped expand the Station's land resources, from an initial seven acres to its current size of more than 22 acres.

Self is survived by his wife, Patricia Ann Self; two sons, Michael and Donald Self; two stepsons, Bill and John Michael Dillen; two stepdaughters, Penelope Ann Wood and Marion Michalopoulos; and two sisters.

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Auburn, AL 36849
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Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

04/25/00