Christopher Davidson
February 10, 1944 - August 29, 2022
Boise, Idaho - Christopher Robert Davidson, born 10 February 1944, a fourth generation Boisean, son of Marjorie Moore Davidson and Robert Davidson, great grandson to Christopher W. Moore of Boise history, departed this life on 29 August 2022, after experiencing an aggressive cancer.
Chris, aka Tiffer, lived an idyllic childhood in Boise and McCall, spending summers along Sylvan Beach on Payette Lake and being a "go-fer" in Charlie's Garden there in McCall. He attended Roosevelt Elementary, East Junior High, and Boise High. Childhood travels with his mom and stepdad, Charles M. Davidson, provided the spark of his passion for travel and his world view. Upon graduation from Boise High, he began his higher education at Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, continuing through doctoral studies in botany at Claremont Graduate University in California. He became Curator of Botany at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. A naturalist with a passion for travel, plants and geology, Chris returned to Boise in 1980, for the birth of his daughter, Sara. At that time, he started the Idaho Botanical Garden. In the late 1980s, he undertook other botanical projects, including care and enhancement of Charlie's Garden in McCall, culminating in his final work, floraoftheworld.org, documenting with digital images and scientific vouchers the flowering plant families of the world for two decades. He had approximately 8 plant families of the 430 +/- flowering plant families left to document. Professionally, the highlight of his career was creating floraoftheworld.org, a self-funded project that took him and his wife to 45 countries, some visited multiple times, six of the seven continents and a website open to the public and geared to the botanical community. The shared adventures and many fine colleagues and plant enthusiasts imbued a worldliness to his persona. Chris lived life with a quick wit, a keen eye, and a kindness that encouraged others to be themselves and project the goodness and worth in their being.
He leaves behind, his stepmom, Barbara Davidson, whom he cherished, his "hybrid" family as he called us--his wife Sharon, his daughter Sara, daughter Penny, son Pat, their respective spouses, Jesse, Joshua, Ashley, and five grandchildren who were delights of his life.
Our planet is a better place for him having resided here.
Celebrations, with lite fare, of this outstanding man will be held by the family and for friends and acquaintances who feel inclined to share a memory of him.
McCall: Charlie's Garden and the cabin 910 Sylvan Creek Rd. 5 September 2022 11:00 am
Boise: his residence at 637 E Warm Springs Ave., entrance through the fire entrance at the end of East Lewis St. 7 September 2022 4-6 pm

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Idaho Statesman on Sep. 4, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Davidson

Sponsored by The Idaho Statesman.

17 Entries

Gavin Cottrell

February 21, 2024

Christopher (AKA: Tzeetzee) Davidson was a huge part of my childhood. He was an amazing grandfather and I really do miss him. My brother Colin and I both had a strong relationship with him and when we lost him it was absolutely devastating. He was always the funniest man alive and could make you laugh even if you were having a terrible day. Loosing him was one of the hardest things ever but I´m glad he´s no longer in pain. I miss you man. Sending love and prayers.

Miguel Angel Perez Farrera

November 16, 2022

I just found out about the passing of Dr. Davidson. My condolences to Sharon and the entire Dr. Davidson family. He became a great friend of the Eizi Matuda Herbarium. rest in peace my friend

Jan E Snyder

October 28, 2022

We are so sorry for your loss we found out so late we would have been there had we known Scott and Jan Snyder

Tom McLeod

Sent Flowers

Sally Jo Headlee

September 19, 2022

To say this man was my hero, my mentor, my reason to be who I am is not forgotten in one second of any day. The time spent with him at the Idaho Botanical Garden and the years beyond gave me so much more than nurturing it gave me hope and such a positive outlook on life. I remember when I asked him what his favorite color was, he replied "Brown". At first, I thought wow that is odd. In time it was crystal clear as I realized how important the color brown is to each and every one of us. For wood and soil are brown and without them there would be no trees or plants let alone the life sustaining oxygen we all need. It is these and so many other moments I will continue to treasure. For he had this special way of making one see the world in a way that we would have missed if it were not for his remarkable wit. I gave him the nickname Dr. D. that always brought a sparkling light to his eyes. I remember the first time I dared call him that he gave me that look that I will NEVER forget, and always adore. He would look at me with his glasses halfway down his nose and his eyes would light up with all the wisdom and humor a body could hold. He was so humble beyond any words, he was kind beyond any treasures, he was funny, ever so witty, and he never placed any of lives burdens on anyone. He gave me the ability to reach beyond the impossible and make things possible. All I can promise him, his incredible wife and the daughter he lived for is I will NEVER NOT FOR ONE SECOND let his spirit die. He gave this world so much, some of these gifts will carry on for generations yet to come. He gave so unselfishly and touched deep into the souls of the people he knew. Perhaps one of my fondest, proudest and touching time we shared is when he walked me down the aisle and passed me on to my soulmate. It was Dr. D. who planted my seed, always watered it, pruned it when necessary, and allowed me to bloom into the unique person I am today. My heart is aching for his loved ones. It is with a tremendous amount of honor that I pledge to be a constant reflection of Dr. D. in every path, and action I take, I love you Dr. D. With respect and love you own a big part of my heart. Sally Jo Headlee

Carmen Ulloa

September 11, 2022

In the footsteps of Humboldt: collecting tiny plants at the base of Chimborazo volcano, Ecuador. Gracias Chris!

Olga Martha Montiel

September 8, 2022

Erizito supported and encouraged so many young (and not so young) biologists, making in this way a serious mark in the field of botany and certainly in their lives. Through his passion for building capacity he made a most important contribution to the conservation of plant diversity. Chris had a vision and made it a reality.

Mike Winter

September 7, 2022

Many wonderful memories listening to music, browsing through his enormous collection of vinyl: world music, classical, early music, rock and pop, most of it wonderfully catalogued. Prokofiev Symphony No. 6 and Shostakovitch Preludes & Fugues for piano among his favorites.

Mona Morrison

September 6, 2022

Chris was an uncommonly generous and kind man, but most of all I will miss his acute observations of human nature, and his gentle wit. He never missed a thing.

Kathy Nagy

September 4, 2022

So many fond memories of growing up at Sylvan Beach. Charlie´s Garden was our backyard. So thankful for gift of all the friendships from our special place in McCall.
God bless, Kathy Krueger Nagy

Roger Rosentreter

September 3, 2022

Chris had a keen eye and an appreciation for a green thumb. Always interesting to talk to.

Chengxin Fu

September 3, 2022

Chengxin Fu

September 3, 2022

It is so sad news! I knew that from Dave. I remembered the time he took photos with us in Tianmu Mountain and other places of East China 10 years ago. We are very sorry to have lost a good friend. His photos of plants are our eternal memory!

Jenny Xiang

September 3, 2022

An immense loss of the botanical community - So sad for the decease of a great botanist and a kind friend! Chris will be remembered in our hearts for his kindness and invaluable contributions to a better understanding of plants on the planet.