In Memoriam: Andy Mast

Chris Beytes

Andy Mast, one of the many members of Michigan’s Mast family, passed away on July 8 at the age of 76.

Andy was born to Neal and Jacoba Mast in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in September 1946. He emigrated with his family two years later, settling in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Neal, after working odd jobs and learning English, started a greenhouse business, Neal Mast & Sons, which Andy joined after studying horticulture at Michigan State and a stint in the Navy Reserves.

In 1975, he branched out to start his own business, Andy Mast Greenhouses, where one of his specialties was Dutch bulbs, including Easter lilies. He worked closely with MSU to pioneer various growing techniques on the crop, including using DIF for height control. Today, his sons Dan and Dave, the fourth generation, own and operate the business.

Andy wasn’t just into plants—he also loved animals, and was involved in breeding and racing homing pigeons and raising bees, peacocks, chickens, swans and even longhorn cattle. GT