Retired MSU Professor Will Carlson Dies at 68

Jennifer Zurko

Dr. Will Carlson, Professor Emeritus of Floriculture at Michigan State University for 36 years, passed away on January 20 following a terminal illness. He was 68.

His contributions to the horticulture industry were immeasurable. During his tenure at MSU, Dr. Carlson published more than 35 scientific articles and 400 popular articles on physiology of ornamental floriculture crops, taught more than 1,500 undergraduate students, 40 graduate students, 30,000 students in Extension courses, and maintained a popular column in Greenhouse Grower magazine for more than three decades. In 1995, he earned the Distinguished Faculty Designation. He was also responsible for establishing the Horticultural Demonstration Gardens, and he served as Chairperson of the MSU Garden Consortium.

Dr. Carlson established and served as the faculty coordinator for the Michigan Master Gardener program that trained over 10,000 master gardeners. He was also the project leader for the Horticulture Extension and the faculty coordinator for the 150,000-sq. ft. Plant Science Greenhouse Research Ranges. He helped to establish the Professional Plant Growers Association (PPGA), had been a director of the Garden Writers Association and lectured to various garden groups throughout the country. Dr. Carlson earned many industry accolades, including the Hall of Fame from the Society of American Florists (SAF) and the Marc Cathy Award from the American Horticultural Society.

“Will Carlson certainly can be credited with being responsible for Michigan being as prominent in the floriculture industry as anyone,” says Marvin Miller, market research manager for Ball Horticultural Company. “He was on the ground running when the potential for bedding plants was commercialized by Michigan growers, as the state’s Floriculture Extension Specialist. Will always had the industry’s best interests in mind, and this guided his actions and his words. I know when I went to Washington, D.C., there was no one I’d rather have on my side than Will Carlson, as he always had the industry’s future in mind. He will certainly be missed.”

Dr. Carlson is survived by his wife, Barbara; his sons, William and Wayne, and daughters-in-law Mary and Danette; grandchildren Laura, George, John, Riley, Bailey and Colin; brother, Robert and sister-in-law Martha; and sister, Dorothy and brother-in-law Ron Albee. Those desiring may make contributions to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Dr. William Carlson. Online condolences may be sent to www.gorslineruncimanfuneralhomes.com. GT