Raymond T. Fox ’ 47 , M.S. ’ 52 , Ph.D. ’ 56 , professor emeritus of floriculture and ornamental horticulture and renowned for his elaborated campus floral display and floriculture expertise , died March 31 in Ithaca , New York . He was 96 .
Fox was born Aug. 31 , 1922 , in Corning , New York , the Logos of Joseph and Marie Hauer Fuchs . After find his bachelor ’s academic degree , Fox began his Cornell calling as an instructor in the Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture the same twelvemonth . He later earned his passkey ’s and doctorate , also at Cornell , and was promoted to full prof in 1979 , serving until his retirement in 1987 .
His late wife Vera ’ 48 , who died in 2009 , was also an complete plantsman .
Fox was fabled for tirelessly organizing and precede brigades of volunteers to set up flowered displays at campus events , even after his retreat .
In his address at the university ’s 129th Commencement in 1997 , then - university president Hunter R. Rawlings III paid him tribute : “ [ This ] Commencement represents the 50th class that Professor Fox , with assistant from an enthusiastic band of unpaid worker , has coordinate the flowered arrangement for Commencement Weekend . For 50 days , it has been truly a labor of love . ”
Equally spectacular were Fox ’s holiday decorations at Sage Chapel , which often included elaborate , tree - same poinsettia arrangements .
“ He was a superb floral couturier – both in composition of a unmarried piece as well as grand displays , ” said Professor Emeritus Tom Weiler , former chair of the Department of Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture . Fox was a key trope at the now - defunct New York Flower Show and the iconic spring flower show at Macy ’s department store in New York City .
chalk out from program from Fox ’s retirement celebration in 1987
To appreciate Fox ’s contributions requires an understanding of how the floriculture industry has changed since its heyday , Weiler said .
“ In the 1950s and ’ LX , you never saw ‘ in lieu of flowers ’ on funeral announcements , ” he said . “ elaborated floral arrangement were all-important at most every social occasion from weddings and funeral to dances and other public functions .
“ The emphasis was on topically produce flowers , ” Weiler said . “ Cut flowers were a much larger section of New York ’s greenhouse output , and Ray was the center of Cornell ’s support of retail florists . ”
Fox ’s academic pursuits focalize on educational activity and outreach . He teach pop course in flowered design and retail flower store management . “ He bled Cornell Bolshevik and trained generations of florists , ” enunciate Bill Miller , professor of gardening and director of Cornell’sFlower Bulb Research Program .
Fox often spoke to florist organization , garden clubs and county Cornell Cooperative Extension audiences . He authored or co - authored many democratic consumer publications , including “ The Selection , Care , and Use of Plants in the Home ” and “ technique for Propagation of Plants for Interior Decoration . ”
He also dedicate meter to community service , developing horticulture therapy programs at local senior center , lead international garden tours and holding leadership position in the Liberty Hyde Bailey Garden Club .
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced .
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