Members of this Association who attended the Wooster meeting in 1946
will not soon forget the cheery, witty and resourceful toastmaster who
presided at their annual banquet, Dr. Joseph Gourley. Soon after this
meeting, on October 19th, to be exact, Dr. Gourley was stricken with
coronary thrombosis, and the field of horticulture lost a nationally
known leader.
Dr. Gourley's passing came at a time of high tide in his work. "Less
than an hour before he was stricken," said an associate, "he was engaged
in planning a project that he knew would continue long after his active
career must end. This is the spirit of the true research man."
He was a graduate of Ohio State University, had served as head of the
Department of Horticulture in the University of New Hampshire and later
in a like position with the University of West Virginia. In 1921, he was
appointed chief of the Department of Horticulture at the Ohio
Experiment Station and, from 1929, he concurrently held the position of
Chairman of the Department of Horticulture at Ohio State University. He
served both of these offices until the day of his death. He was the
author of many bulletins and technical articles as well as of some
better known text books which have had wide use in American
Universities. He had acted as president of The American Society for
Horticultural Science, President of The American Promological Society,
and as president and member of numerous similar organizations to which
he gave continued and enthusiastic service.
It is as a good teacher, companion and warm friend, however, that Dr.
Gourley will best be remembered by those who knew him well. His life and
fire have sparked many another teacher, research worker and common man
to greater effort and better achievement. A close associate closed a
press notice of Dr. Gourley's passing with these words:
"His consideration for his associates, both those equal and below in
rank, marked his every contact through his long years of service. He was
indeed, a truly great Chief.
His family and close associates in the two departments he headed for so
many years will miss him most of all, but life for them and for
countless others who called him friend has been made richer, fuller and
deeper because he passed this way.
Teacher, scientist, Christian gentleman, friend and chief, we salute
you."
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