AFE Establishes Douglas K. Dillon Memorial Tribute

Jennifer Zurko

A Memorial Tribute has been established within the American Floral Endowment honoring Douglas K. Dillon, 85, who passed away on September 30. The tribute was established by a $1,500 donation by the Board of Directors of Hortica Insurance, a leading insurance and employee benefits provider to garden centers, nurseries, retail florists, wholesale floral distributors, greenhouse growers and other industry professions.

Diagnosed with cancer in early 2009, Mr. Dillon was an active member of the industry and a great supporter of AFE. President of Dillon Floral Corporation in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, from 1965 to 1991, when his son Robert took over, Doug remained active in the business until about a month before his death.  

“We are honored to establish the Douglas K. Dillon Memorial Tribute on behalf of our current Board of Directors,” says Hortica CEO Mona Haberer. “Doug served on Hortica’s Board for over 32 years, 16 of those as our chairman. This memorial is a fitting salute to his dedication, not only to our company, but to the industry he loved.”

In addition to his service on the Hortica Board, he served as President of the Society of American Florists, on the Boards of Roses, Inc., the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation and many others. In 1993, Dillon was awarded the Golden Bouquet Award (now the Paul Ecke, Jr. Award) in appreciation of industry and community dedication. A year later, he received SAF’s highest honor by being inducted into the SAF Hall of Fame.  

To make a contribution to the Douglas K. Dillon Memorial Tribute, send a check so designated to AFE, 1601 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 22314. The family is always notified of all donations and contributions can be made in any amount. GT