Remembering Peter Van de Wetering and Henry F. Michell

Chris Beytes

GrowerTalks is sorry to report that two industry notables passed away at the end of May.

Peter Van de Wetering passed away May 28 at the age of 82. He was a resident of Riverhead, New York, on Long Island. Peter was the owner of Van de Wetering Greenhouses, which he started in 1989 on Long Island with his wife, Joyce, daughters Marion and Karin, and son, Anton. Peter was known as a pioneer in the bedding plant plug business. He was also partners with his brother, Jack, in Ivy Acres, a wholesale bedding plant operation in nearby Calverton. Peter was born in Naaldwyk, Netherlands, but he served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953. In addition to his wife; his son; his daughters Marion and Karin; and brothers Jack and Joseph of Calverton; Peter is survived by his sisters Getrude Caroll of California and Catherine Allen of Calverton; and six grandchildren.

Henry F. Michell 3rd passed on May 29 at the age of 85. He was a resident of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Henry was the third-generation owner of the well-known brokerage firm that bears his (and his son’s, father’s and grandfather’s) name. Henry 3rd was a 1950 graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania; he joined the family business right after that, serving as President and CEO from 1984 until 2001 and then Chairman of the Board. His son, Henry 4th (“Rick”), carries on the family name and tradition at the Pennsylvania company better known simply as “Michell’s.” Henry is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, son Henry, two stepsons and seven grandchildren. GT