Henry Donselman

henry donselman
DONSELMAN, HENRY 1948 TO 2012 Dr. Henry Martin Donselman was born on August 11, 1948 in the small town of Milan, Indiana to Martin Herman and Norma Amelia (nee Luke) Donselman. He passed away on January 29, 2012 in Murrieta, California. He grew up in Aurora, Indian, where his father operated a mill. He has an older sister, Dorothy Elizabeth Stinger, and had an older brother, Edward Herman Donselman. Henry graduated from Vincennes University, Indiana State University and Purdue University, where he received a doctorate in ornamental horticulture , inspired by his grandfather, a botanist. He married Barbara Jane Longfellow in 1972. In 1976, he accepted a position as professor at the University of Florida. While there, Henry helped introduce many new species of plants, including now the popular Heliconia. In 1988, Henry accepted a position as vice president of Rancho Soledad Nurseries in Rancho Sante Fe and moved his family to Poway, California. In 1993, Henry began his own palm tree consulting business, which he ran up to his death, except for three years he spent in The Scotts Company. Henry served on the Board of Quail Botanical Gardens and was active in the International Palm Society. He was a world-class horticulturalist, listed in the Who's Who in Science and Engineering. He also received Interiorscape's grand prize for best project for 1988 for his work on the World Finance Center in New York and a merit award from the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1995 for his work on Palm Drive at Stanford University. Perhaps Henry's favorite project was working on Petco Park, home of his beloved San Diego Padres. Despite his many accomplishments, God and family were always Henry's fist priorities, as shown by his involvement in church and his children's sports. A devoted father and husband, Henry is survived by three children, David, Kerensa, and Travis, in addition to the love of his life, Barbara 'Jane'. Services will be held Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 11:00 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Temecula with a public viewing from 9:00 to 11:00. Interment will follow at Mission San Luis Rey, where Henry will be buried between two beautiful palm trees. Donations can be made to the International Palm Society or Trinity Lutheran Church.

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  1. Henry before you sadly passed away you were working on a cure for Fusarium Wilt in Canary Island Date Palms and were investigating a fungicide used in controlling disease in crops of Asparagus.

    Henry you were correct it works.

    Miss you my mentor

    Regards
    Andrew
    Canary Island Palm Company
    Melbourne – Australia

  2. I can see you taking care of the palm trees in heaven, Henry. May our Lord continue to take care of your family here on earth until you are united again. Peace be with you.

  3. Jane, David, Kerensa and Travis…Henry had such a strong servant’s heart. Here at Mt. Olive we still get to admire the palms that he planted here. They stand tall and sturdy…just as he did. God bless you all…

  4. Jane, David, Kerensa and Travis…Henry had such a strong servant’s heart. We still get to admire the palms that he planted here. They stand tall and sturdy…just as we did. God bless you all…

  5. Jane, David, Travis and Kerensa–My heart goes out to you with sympathy and prayers. Henry was such a fun, loving and good husband, father, and brother. I know he is joyful in Heaven talking to Grandpa Luke about the trees, plants, and bees. I am looking forward to joining him in Heaven.

  6. Jane, we are so very sorry for you and your family’s loss. May you find comfort in God and the love of your family and friends. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. I will always love you. Your cousin, Carol

  7. My sincere condolences to Jane and the family. I’ll always keep fond memories of Henry as a fellow horticulture graduate student at Purdue.

  8. When Dorothy and I married, I acquired a wonderful wife with a loving family, but an amazing kid brother, who was always fun to be with.


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