Durham, New Hampshire
1930 - 2006
Alex L. Shigo, Durham, NH
Alex died unexpectedly on October 6 from a fall at his summer home on Mendums Pond.
He was born in Duquesne, PA on May 8,1930. Music was a large part of his life. He was a talented clarinetist and played in the official Air Force Band in Washington, DC for four years during the Korean war. During the time he was on tour in Toronto, Ontario he met his future wife, Marilyn.. They married in 1951 and had 52 years and two wonderful children, Judy and Robert, together.
After his service he returned to Waynesburg College in southwestern Pennsylvania where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. Then, he continued on to West Virginia University in Morgantown from where he received his Masters and Ph.D in Plant Pathology.
He was hired by the USDA Forest Service where he eventually became Chief Scientist and did his work on decay and discoloration in northern hardwoods. After he retired from the Forest Service he started another career as author and publisher of his many books on tree biology, tree care and tree anatomy. He lectured in many countries of the world and was called “the father of modern arboriculture”. He was responsible for changing the way trees are pruned, resulting in healthier trees because of this technique. Last year our daughter Judy took over the book business and moved it to Snohomish, WA.
Alex is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughter Judy Smith of Snohomish, WA and her husband Desmond, three children, Duncan, Shannon and Jillian. Our son, Robert Shigo and his wife Paula have two children, Alex and Ellianna and live in Corona, CA. Alex is also survived by his brother, Elmer, of Washington Crossing, PA. and many nieces and nephews from him and Ann and their five children. He also had nephews and a niece from his brother Paul, (deceased) in California.
Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate the life of Alex at the Sugar Shack on Route 4 just west of the Lee traffic circle, on October 11 from 4-7 PM.
Arrangements are under the direction of Purdy Memorial Chapel, route 4, Lee.
T o sign an online guest book visit www.purdyfuneralservice.com
I am an aspiring plant scientist at UMN. I recently picked up a copy of Alex's "Compartmentalization of Decayed Wood" 1981 and became very interested. Thank you for the knowledge you sent out into the world.
Sophia
November 08, 2024 | Other
Dr. Shigo and his work are the reason I became interested in arboriculture. More specifically it was his work describing Natural Target Pruning in the Journal of Arboriculture. I first met Alex in Chicago when he was doing his A New Tree Biology book tour. As luck would have it, I happened to be next in line at the cafeteria where we struck up a conversation and he invited me to his table over lunch. Of course trees were our primary topic of conversation, but only after asking about me and my...
Steven Pregler
October 03, 2024
This week is so fitting to remember Dr. Shigo. Last week 80 eager participants gathered in Arlington VA for another "Root Appreciation Day Workshop". I always begin each workshop with one or two quotes about roots from Dr. Shigo. The week prior we hosted a two hour webinar on roots with (virtual) attendees from across the nation. Our closing slide contained acknowledgements from several who had a profound impact on what we know as Tree Preservation. Alex Shigo was the first one credited. We...
CHRIS COWLES
October 03, 2019 | MILLERSVILLE, MD | Student
You will survive in the paradise of Trees. I hope to have the honor to meet you there someday
Francesco Ferrini
October 03, 2019 | Sesto Fiorentino | Friend
Showed one of Dr. Shigo's videos on trees from the 1990's to a classroom full of my own students. I love his teaching style, his philosophy of education, and indeed the wonder he had and so readily communicated while exploring nature. His many gifts continue to give.
James H
November 07, 2014 | Cambridge, OH
I'm a certified arborist in Beaufort,SC. I'm also on the city's tree board. Dealing with some of the issues of hazard trees within the city has reminded me of the workshops I had the privilege to attend in Boone,NC. I learned so much from Dr. Shigo. He was such a delightful person to be around. I have his book Modern Arboriculture that he signed in front of me now and how it brings back fond memories of the workshops and all the great people I got to meet, and be in the same room with the...
Jim Arnett
September 24, 2014 | Beaufort,SC, SC
Remembered By
mainville
June 05, 2012
We never met Mr. Shigo although my father who is a horticultralist attended one of your lectures he said you were a very passionate man in the field of arboculture. Now that i am following in my father path I required information for study and found your books very helpful. Thankyou and rest in peace. Tom Roach Horticultralist in training aged 19
Tom Roach
May 24, 2011 | Canberra, Australia
One of my all time favorite books is Tree Pithy Points. I think of Alex whenever I see a tree in need and how much he has contributed to arboriculture but also to our world by teaching others how to touch trees and give them dignity. What a wonderful man who has touched so many people and so many trees in a positive way. May he rest eternally in peace, I will always be thankful for his contributions to our world.
Colleen
May 01, 2010 | FL
