Dr. August A. De Hertogh Ph.D.

Dr. August Albert De Hertogh, PhD

August 24, 1935 - October 26, 2018

Cary

August "Gus" Albert De Hertogh, age 83, died October 26, 2018 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Gus, the son of Belgian immigrants was raised in Chicago. Gus was fluent in Flemish and enjoyed returning annually to visit his Belgian family.

His research on flower bulbs began at Michigan State University in 1965. Dutch exporters came to the U.S. seeking answers on challenges with flower bulbs. Dr De Hertogh accepted the challenge and spent the next 35 years researching flower bulbs. In 1978 he moved to NC State University to head the department of Horticulture and moved the flower bulb research with him. He is recognized as a world authority and freely shared his bank of knowledge with scientists and growers around the world. His many contributions included the development of shipping procedures, protocols for handling bulbs upon arrival in the U.S., bulb cooling processes, and protocols for forcing bulbs out of season. He was able to take an age-old industry and advance it into a new age with many economic opportunities. He was instrumental in expanding the world market of flower bulbs. He also pioneered University-industry partnerships.

His publications were many: 52 journal articles, 55 symposia/research reports, 58 extension leaflets, 45 books and book chapters, 25 industry service bulletins, 85 industry popular press articles, 4 Web sites, and 2 software packages. A one of a kind reference book "The Physiology of Flowering Bulbs" is known in the industry as "the bible". He co-edited this work with Dr. Marcel Le Nard of France and it will be an invaluable reference for years to come.

Gus has been the recipient of many awards and honors; far too many to mention. Highlights include: A Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science; Medal of Honor, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, The Netherlands; Floriculture Hall of Fame Award and the Alex Laurie Research and Education Award from the Society of American Florists; the Nicolaas Dames Golden Medal, The Netherlands; the Teaching Award of the American Horticulture Society; the Innovator Award by North Carolina State University; the Gold Pin Award of Dutch Bulb Exporters Association; the Herbert Medal, International Bulb Society, Pasadena, California; and the naming of a hyacinth cultivar in his honor. The bulb industry gave him their highest of honors, the Silver Tulip Award.

He is survived by his wife Mary Belle, children Mark, Michelle, Jennifer, Mary Moore, Susan, Jay; Grandchildren Mark, Lori Beth, Drew, Patrick, Aaron, Claire, Addison and great-grand daughter Caroline.

He will be missed by family and friends. He helped changed the world and make it a more beautiful place.

The family will receive friends from 2-4PM Sunday, October 28, at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511.

To honor Gus, please consider donating to the JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State or the American Diabetes Association – North Carolina.

www.brownwynnecary.com