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David McLean Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for David McLean
48 Entries
Ginny Wells
February 3, 2015
Penny, I can't imagine the world without David. He was such an interesting, happy, and wonderful man, and you were the brightest flower in his garden. My sincerest condolences to you, my friend, and much love.
Carol Troendle
September 17, 2014
Dave will be missed as a friend and collegue. Always a joy to see and speak to. And a wealth of knowledge and kindness.
Lisa McLean-Ross
June 30, 2014
I just learned of Davids passing today. In this time of grief, my son and I send condolences to you and your family.
kim herndon
June 23, 2014
Sorry for your lose. Kim Herndon
Debbie Lesbian
June 21, 2014
Penny, I've been out of town and just learned of David's passing and I want to tell you how sorry I am. I recently retired and so enjoyed the first of the month lectures with David. I feel like I had so much to learn and was just getting started. I loved his dry wit, and the great lunch made by you and your sister afterward. What a loss to our community and I'm sure your world. Heaven just got a bit nicer and the landscape I'm sure is beautiful. My prayers to you.
June 11, 2014
I wanted a jaboticaba, and couldn't find one anywhere. David not only found one, but gave it to me for my birthday and planted it in my yard. It has moved 2 times since then, but flourishes still today...his knowledge, his kindness and especially his smile will be remembered. Heaven is now a 'better-tended' place.
Pastor Lou Abel
Sue Willingham
June 11, 2014
David always had a positive aura about him and such enthusiasm for teaching. It was a pleasure to have known him for the nine years I worked at BCC in the science lab. I was saddened to hear of his illness and am thankful to Terry Hamilton for letting me know so I could have the opportunity to chat with him and hopefully offer some encouragement during his treatment phase (I'm 4 years out from diagnosis). Prayers for comfort for Penny and her sister. David will always be fondly remembered...
Sue Willingham
June 11, 2014
David always had a positive aura about him and such enthusiasm for teaching. It was a pleasure to have known him for the nine years I worked at BCC in the science lab. I was saddened to hear of his illness and am thankful to Terry Hamilton for letting me know so I could have the opportunity to chat with him and hopefully offer some encouragement during his treatment phase (I'm 4 years out from diagnosis). Prayers for comfort for Penny and her sister. David will always be fondly remembered...
Dr. Steve Weisberg
June 10, 2014
David, I regret I never told you how much of an influence you made in my life. You helped me appreciate more of the beauty in "mother nature" and living in South Florida. My yard will always remind me of you. Condolences to Penny and her sister. May you rest in peace!
Paul Gehrke
June 10, 2014
The world of Horticulture has lost a friend and mentor, Dave will be missed by all.
Penny, David & Carol
June 10, 2014
John & Carol Lucas
June 10, 2014
David had three passions: Penny, plants, and teaching. For him life was always a teachable moment as he wove plant knowledge with life lessons. We shall miss our private and larger than life moments with him.
John & Carol Lucas
June 10, 2014
David had three passions: Penny, plants, and teaching. For him life was always a teachable moment as he wove plant knowledge with life lessons. We shall miss our private and larger than life moments with him.
Maureen Dinnen
June 10, 2014
Whether you were a student, gardener, faculty colleague, friend or family member your life is richer for having known Dave. He was fascinated by and loved the world of plants and passed on that passion to others, often with a measure of dry humor. My sympathies go out to Penny and his family and friends.
Linda Parrott
June 9, 2014
My sincere condolences to Davids' family and friends. I so enjoyed attending his presentations and speaking with David about plants. He will be greatly missed by the gardening community.
jim sheehan
June 9, 2014
there are so few who mean so much...memories, smiles, laughter, knowledge. God graced us for a while, and then called him home. my thoughts are with family and friends. there is loss this week.
Lee Peppers
June 9, 2014
I am so sorry to hear this, he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you Penny.
Matthew McAloon
June 8, 2014
Thank you my friend. You were a big influence in my life.
Pat&Vin Rossi
June 8, 2014
David hadn't met a plant he didn't like, even the weeds and spiky agaves liked him. Now those wacky plants rejoice his presence in their heavenly gardens. Pat&Vinny Rossi
June 8, 2014
David hadn't met a plant he didn't like, even the weeds and spiky agaves liked him. Those wacky plants rejoice his presence in their heavenly gardens. Pat&Vin Rossi
Delia Alonso
June 7, 2014
Penny my thought and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
I have had Dave in my thought many times since he made such a huge impact in my life so many years ago.
His persona was so inmence i honestly though we will live for ever. As he will live for ever in the harts of those he touched.
Pot Luck Nursery was eternally grateful for his friendship and advice as we for ever be for having him in our lives.
Thank you for being part of his.
June 7, 2014
Although it's been many years since I last saw David, my memory of him is still very strong. Delia and I owe our success in the nursery business (Pot Luck Nursery) to that always funny and always available adorable man.
Renee Pardo, Hendersonville NC - formerly of Davie, Florida.
Candy Leone
June 7, 2014
Will miss you my friend but will feel your presence every time I visit my gardenn
Bonnie Gosley
June 7, 2014
You have always been one of God's chosen people. Your talent in the care of HIS PLANTS and the education of his people is proof of this thought. Also your care and compassion for Trinity and it's Natural presence has been a wonderful demonstration of God's and David's love of nature.
Mike Brown
June 7, 2014
How will we go on without the great mind and loving heart of such a great man! David taught me so much and is responsible for who I am today. I will truly miss him and his humor and his amazing wealth of knowledge.. I'm sending love, light and peace to Penny and all of David's friends and family. He was quite simply the best!
LADONNE LIPPERT
June 7, 2014
PENNY AND FAMILY YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCE FOR YOUR BELOVED LOSS. YOU'RE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
Susan Casamento
June 7, 2014
This message comes from Native Choice Nursery in Boynton Beach: we only met David a few years ago when he came to the nursery after hearing about us from friends of his. We immediately became friends and he was a great inspiration to us in the beginning! He came by a few times after that and we would chat for at least an hour... We really enjoyed his visits and regret that we did not get to visit his nursery. I had a plant that he wanted and had it set aside for him after he called for it last year. Just 10 minutes before Jeff called me with news of his passing, I was watering this plant. I looked at it and wondered if he still wanted it. I smiled to myself and thought: of course he does, it is rare and endangered... I will propagate it for him if he can't come and pick it up. Then, Jeff called and we were so sad at the news of his passing! I believe that thought was his saying "goodbye" to me. He was a wonderful mentor! He will be missed by many...
Maria Matuson
June 7, 2014
Will miss being able to call David with questions no-one else could answer...his dry wit so quietly delivered. He said a lot too in his silences while he listened. You will be in my thoughts Penny.
Trudy & Al Bell
June 7, 2014
David was our "Johnny Appleseed" and his love of all growing things was shared by our whole family. Greatly missed, but long remembered!
Pastor Joseph and Judy Kiser
June 6, 2014
Martin Luther was once asked the question, "If you knew you would die tomorrow, what would you do today". Luther apparently replied, "I would plant an apple tree today". No one ever asked David McLean that question but everyone who knew him would know his answer. It may not have been an apple tree but it would have been a tree that produced rare and unusual fruit or blooms that added beauty to the world around it.
David's entire life can be marked by the gifts he left behind him. Knowledge, beauty, laughter and so many other things that added to the joy of living. His death this week is a loss of such magnitude that it is difficult to express. But he lives on in the hearts and minds and lives of so many others who knew him as a friend, a teacher, a mentor, a husband and a good man.
I can see him now, checking out new plants and flowers that he never knew existed. God loaned us all a man of excellence for 79 years.
May the seeds he planted continue to grow and multiply in the world he left behind. He'd like that.
Rev. Joel Slotnick
June 6, 2014
My thoughts, prayers go out to Penny and all of David's family and friends
June 6, 2014
Penny, many will miss the knowledge and love of plants David had and I know that now I have no one to ask questions to... Sending my deepest condolences and prayer... Joseph Daley
June 6, 2014
My heart and prayers go out to Penny and family at this time. Jane McPhilomy
Mark Benson
June 6, 2014
David was a towering figure in the Southern Florida plant world and will be remembered with respect by all who ever had the good fortune to know him
June 6, 2014
Twenty some years ago. Mr. McLean taught me plant Id. He helped form me into the gardener I am today. Thank you Dave
Kathy Huebner Delray Beach
Bob & Marianne Caine
June 6, 2014
Penny, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
David's passing has been tough for so many of us because he meant so much too so many.
Throughout our lives we meet many individuals and every now and then you meet someone that stands out from the rest. David was one of those individuals in my lifetime. The old cliché about first impressions often being lasting ones certainly applied to David.
I first met David at BCC almost 40 years ago. After speaking with him for a short time, it was as if I knew him my entire life. I compared him to a "Diamond in the Rough", if you will that only comes around a few times in one's lifetime! I immediately noticed how he reacted with and treated people. He always had that little smile on his face. He was kind and respectful to everyone that passed his way. He was a gentle spirit, with a tremendous zest for life. His wit and personality beamed with enthusiasm and it was extremely contagious!
From the beginning I noticed something about him that also made a favorable impression on not only me but others too. What you saw in David was exactly what you got and it's too bad that everyone can't be like that these days. If that was the case this would be a better planet for the masses.
I didn't really get to know David until I filled in for him on a few classes after graduating his program. He later asked me to serve on the department's advisory committee at school. After a few years, I wanted to leave but David kept giving me reasons to stay. I was on that committee for over 10 years.
David didn't care very much for technology. I constantly reminded him how computers could make things easier for him when it came to research. He wanted nothing to do with it and we often joked about that. However, after looking back, he was probably right! David was a walking plant encyclopedia and his vast knowledge helped all of his students learn so much from this extraordinary man.
David you were simply the best of the best and you always gave everything you had. This being so much more than any of us could have ever given you. You enriched all of our lives and we are so much better off having known you. All of us that had the privilege of having your friendship were truly blessed! We have lost a star and our lives will never be quite the same. But that friendship will be cherished for a lifetime.
So until that time my good friend, "Vaya Con Dios"!
Ricky Ginsburg
June 6, 2014
Everything I know about South Florida plants. Everything I know about landscape design. And much of everything I know about old Florida, I learned from David McLean. He was the most wonderful teacher I ever had. My only wish is that I had met him 40 years ago. Love and condolences to Penny.
Meredith Fox
June 6, 2014
You will be remembered always for your unique humor, teaching
Style and love of all that grows.
You gave me the opportunity to
Teach, always appreciated that.
Alliean Roberts
June 6, 2014
Dear David,
Heaven's gain..............our loss.
natalie Harrah
June 6, 2014
To Penny and all of David's friends,
I am so very sorry for your loss;
David was gift to all who knew him, my teacher, my mentor, my boss, and my friend of 24 years. I will never forget his teachings or his beautiful personality and fun loving nature, will always remember the good times at BCC, and the lessons learned.
With love and admiration always, there will never be another like you, I will hold you in my heart forever my friend!
Natalie Harrah
Natalie Harrah
June 6, 2014
To David's family and friends, I am so very sorry for your loss, David was gift to all who knew him, my teacher, my mentor, my boss, and my very close friend. I will never forget his teachings or his beautiful personality and fun loving nature, I will always remember the good times at BCC, and the lessons learned.
I will hold you in my heart forever my friend.
Natalie
jill Kanter
June 6, 2014
David McClean was my Sons teacher and friend and was so kind and friendly to all. At BCC I was fortunate to know him when my Son worked in the Nursery. You will always be in our hearts Mr McClean, R I P
Mike and Jennifer Kellum
June 6, 2014
David left such a wonderful legacy to all the people who knew him. Not many people can say they had such a positive impact on so many people's lives while making the world more beautiful.
Rusty Pfost
June 5, 2014
A great loss to South Florida, my sympathy to the family. He taught me a lot and was always fun and interesting on the morning walks at the nursery.
Mona Johnston
June 5, 2014
Dear David--I expect you're redesigning God's Garden to your wonderful, eclectic specifications. Heaven's gain is our loss. You will be so missed.
James Wilson
June 5, 2014
Dave's knowledge and love of plants made him essential for his many friends. Many of us found that sharing ideas with Dave was the real reason to attend Plant Affairs. He will be missed, but the knowledge he gave his students and joy he gave to his friends will live on.
June 5, 2014
Dave was a wonderful friend, teacher and human being.
When I see a beautiful blooming native plant, I will think of him.
Holley Gilley
Dianne Coleman
June 5, 2014
I am so very sorry for your loss but may his love live on in your memories and bring you peace.
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