Dick Battson was born Oct. 24, 1916, on the Walker homestead in Tennessee, Illinois.

He died March 29, 2010, on Vashon Island, Wash. He grew up in rural

Illinois. He married fellow botanist Helen Bramsch in 1940 while in graduate school at Berkeley.

He was an artillery officer in Venezuela and Panama during World War II.

A prominent botanist in the Pacific Northwest, Dick spent his entire

professional career, 1948-1987, at the University of Washington. He was chair of the Botany Department from 1962-1971, adjunct professor in Forestry from 1977-1985 and Director of the Office of Biology Education from 1975-1982. His research focused on nutrition and cold-hardiness of trees, and the unusual plant life that grows on serpentine soils. A highly respected teacher, he also gave generously of his time and expertise to local community groups.

Although Dick lived in Seattle, he visited his daughter Mary Ellen

frequently and considered Vashon Island his second home. He was a

regular volunteer at the Blue Heron Garden Tour and loved the stunning views of Mount Rainier from the Island. Over the years, he had acquired many wonderful friends on Vashon, who will miss him very much.

Due to a serious fall last October, he spent the last few months of his life in the tender care of the staff at Beneficial Adult Family Home.

He was the father of Mary Ellen Walker of Vashon, and Elizabeth Walker and Richard Walker of Wisconsin, and had three grandchildren and two

great-grandchildren. His wife Helen died in 1990.

A memorial gathering will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010, in the

auditorium of Architecture Hall (Room 147) at the University of Washington. A

reception will follow at the Botany Greenhouse. Remembrances may be made to

the endowment being established in his honor at the University of

Washington Department of Biology (formerly Botany), Box 351800, Seattle, WA 98195.

For more information, visit islandfuneral.com.