Victor Charles Yool

1947 - 2022

Victor Charles Yool
March 18, 1947 - July 31, 2022
Born to Connie T. Gallucci and George A. Yool in New Jersey, Victor spent the majority of his childhood with brothers Len and Tom in El Cerrito, CA.
Graduated from UC Berkeley in 1969, proud member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, later he earned his Masters in Clinical Psychology. Starting as a carry-out in 1964 Victor quickly rose in the ranks at Berkeley Hort Nursery, a self-taught horticulturist he became the answer man that knew everything! He found his true calling writing as Dr. Chlorophyll for the nursery newsletter, Advice for the Horticulturally Harassed! This is where his wry wit and wisdom were on display for all to enjoy. Not one to deny his audience he expanded his reach by becoming a columnist for the SF Chronicle from 1999-2006. Dubbed Dr. Hort. he wrote a column answering readers' questions. Do search them out, they are a hoot!
A Great Arts tour of Europe with a childhood friend in the summer of 1969 might have been the real education. Twelve weeks on a $300 Eurail Pass in Belgium, Holland, France, Spain, Italy (with family), Austria, and Germany! His love of travel continued throughout his life and his amazing ability to recall the minutest details from all his adventures never failed him.
A true renaissance man, Victor loved books, plants, food, history, and anything to do with the Royals. He loved regaling people with stories, charming everyone, grand dames and mere mortals alike! A dear friend said it best, "he's read, traveled, eaten, and drunk everything and could reminisce about it all night long!" Others remember his joie de vivre & delightful gossipy lunches at Chez Panisse, Oliveto and Rivoli to name a few.
Forever grateful our paths crossed, "Ciao, Bella!" Victor was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2010 and defied the odds by surviving 12 years on dialysis, without complaint!
As a Pisces it was Victors' desire to "swim with the fishes", a private sea scattering under the Golden Gate will be followed by a celebratory gathering for all on Sunday Sept. 11 from 12:00-2:00pm. For details, contact Peter T. via cell 646-491-1512 or email PTplantOne@comcast.net
Memorial donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation at https://support.pkdcure.org/Victor-Yool