 Oct. 19, 2010, Encinitas, CA – Jack Williams, 54, described by one colleague as an industry “rock star,” died from a heart attack over the weekend while on a business trip to Australia.
Mr. Williams had been a technical specialist at Ecke Ranch for the past 26 years,, working on product development, production and marketing. He assisted growers during greenhouse visits and as a speaker at seminars and conferences, as well as through production documents, books and magazine articles that he authored.
Mr. Williams was a longtime volunteer with the educational program of the Ohio Short Course and a past OFA board member.
He was an exceptional horticulturist and a gifted communicator with a passion for plants. Quick with a quip or to laugh, his keen sense of humour was always in evidence.
Mr. Williams was no stranger to Canada, travelling extensively throughout the country to meet with growers. He was also a frequent speaker at conferences here, including the 2009 GreenSys conference in Quebec City at which he spoke on, “Cool growing spring crops, or how to lower production costs.”
He wrote a number of production features for Greenhouse Canada over the years, most recently a June 2010 feature, “Crops that can be grown cool.” He also spoke frequently at our annual Grower Day and usually on poinsettia production and marketing.
Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, Cheryl, and children Bethany and Stephen, in Encinitas, California.
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