UW Botanic Gardens Loses a Family Member
This morning, our community woke up to the heartbreaking news that Professor Sarah Reichard passed away while leading a garden tour in South Africa. There are no words that can adequately express the sadness and shock we are experiencing from this news. With Sarah’s passing, we have lost an incredible director of the UW Botanic Gardens, a beloved professor, an important voice for conservation, and a truly wonderful person.
Our thoughts are with her husband Brian, her family, and her many friends, colleagues and students.
More about Dr. Reichard:
School of Environmental & Forest Science Blog
My fellow UWBG/CUH community:
As I awoke this morning and saw the misty morning light, I gave thanks for the privilege to enjoy another day on this Earth. I also gave thanks for the nearly 25 years of fun, fellowship, respect, accomplishment, and friendship which I witnessed and shared in the life of Dr. Sarah Reichard. It has been a surreal few days since we heard of her passing. My daughter told me…..” Way too soon, too fast, but what a way to pass, asleep next to your husband and your best friend’. And I would add….in one of the most beautiful parts of this world. I have walked dark hours resulting from traumatic events in my life. I will also tell you that as we step into each day, we will eventually find that new world to behold. We do not know what lies ahead when it is our turn to leave here, but I do know that the spirit and love of someone as vibrant as Sarah will instill in us forever the strength and wisdom to move ahead and even accomplish those dreams she so boldly envisioned. Take time to reflect, in your own way over this weekend. There will be a new day, certainly different from what we envisioned a week ago. I too, even with heart bowed, now begin to look forward to that new day. Peace.
John A. Wott
Director Emeritus, UWBG
Sarah was a strong supporter of the successful effort to persuade the state
to create a Washington Invasive Species Council.
Sarah was a leader in invasive plant research and an important liaison between invasion ecologists, land managers and the nursery industry. She was respected by all and frequently sought out for her counsel. The planet is richer thanks to her contributions.
This news has been very shocking and my thoughts are with Sarah’s family and friends. Sarah has been so instrumental in the nationwide discussion of developing practical solutions to reducing plant invasions, especially involving ornamentals. Her poise, vision, and sensitivity to everyone’s needs and desires has left its mark in many places. I personally learned much from her and she will be deeply missed.
I first met her when I traveled with her to Chile in 2011. Her knowledge of Chilean flora was incredible [she did her doctoral thesis on one of the genera we saw!] I have encountered her many times since [Chilean garden dedication, NHS 50th birthday and numerous lectures, panels and discussions. I will miss her freely shared knowledge and enthusiasm. I dedicate my Chilean garden as a humble token of appreciation to her.
I feel as if I underappreciated Sarah’s visionary talents. I hardly knew her but I knew who she was. She invented/created Washington’s Rare Plant Care and Conservation program, and I’m guessing in the beginning it was a hopeful, little speck of a non-profit, start-up idea, focused on the conservation of Washington’s 320 rare plant species…hopefully people would sign up and volunteer. People did volunteer, and now it is a much bigger thing. So here’s a toast to you Sarah and your visionary talents. Who would have thought that such great things are possible.
I am so deeply saddened to hear the news about Sarah. She was an inspiration and such a kind, warm-hearted, lovely human being. On a personal note, though we were in completely different disciplines and I never studied formally with Sarah, I learned so much from her and considered her to be a true mentor. When I first met Sarah, I was so thoroughly inspired by her vision for WPA as a place for interdisciplinary student research, and impressed by her uncanny ability to make the impossible possible. I am thinking of all of you at UWBG and sending my condolences. She will be missed by many.
I am shocked and saddened to hear of sudden passing of Dr. Sarah Reichert. I met Sarah several months ago to learn about current projects involving students at UHC. She and I became ‘friends’ through email exchanges as she replied to my many questions about unusual plants I spotted in UHC. Her replies were full of scientific information but also were as a garden lover. She and I had plans to exchange several plants this Fall season from our home shade gardens, and to tour each other’s gardens. She told me of her various travels abroad so I know she was an international authority on plants and had passion for conservation of species. UW has lost a unique leader.
My heart aches for Sarah’s loved one. In addition we all have lost one of the most talented and effective members of the University faculty family. It is hard to believe, professionally, she can be replaced. Certainly she will always have a special place in our minds and hearts.
I am deeply sadden to hear of the passing of a great person and a great scientist. Sarah was a strong and clear voice on may important policy issues. She will be missed on many levels.
So long my dear friend and mentor. So many of us were enlightened and motivated by your knowledge and enthusiasm. You have truly made the world a better place.
Laura Zybas MFR Urban Hort, 2000 Rare Care!
Sarah and I were grad students at CUH back in the 80’s–she in the Phd program and me in an MS program. We kept in touch over the years as several times she and Brian hired my company to prune and remove trees at their NW Seattle home. This is a huge loss for all of us. We need to keep Brian and Sarah’s family in our thoughts and prayers.
John Hushagen
This is such sad news! I’ve known Sarah since the early days of the Washington Native Plant Society, when we worked together on plant conservation issues. She was such a warm, caring person, I just can’t believe she has passed. She will certainly live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew her.
I met Sarah when she was a graduate student at CUH, and I was an undergrad doing work study there. We had great fun talking about our lives over margaritas. She was truly a force of nature. She will be greatly missed.
Sarah was an extraordinary leader–wise, visionary yet focused on what could be done, and a superb team leader. I hope each of us can claim a part of the work she was trying to accomplish and carry it forward.
Sarah’s passing is a great loss for all of us in public horticulture. Our hearts go out to Brian and the entire UW Botanic Gardens Community.
Passionate, determined, focused, professional and a great friend to the causes of plant conservation, sustainability, and the use of great plants are only some of the ways we’ll remember her. Her influence will live on for many years to come.
Sarah will always live in my memory with that wry smile (perfect photo, by the way) and warm heart. In our graduate school days, she was the one who inspired me to keep up the study of plant invasions–our weekly meetings over muffins helped me renew my enthusiasm for conservation and restoration ecology. I will miss her but she will continue to inspire me in many ways.
A great woman.
So very very sad. Sarah you were an amazing woman, terrific voice for plants and conservation, and a leader in our field. My sympathies to all of her family, student, and colleagues.
My deepest condolences to the UW Botanic Gardens family. Sarah was one-of-a-kind, I’m happy to have known her, and I mourn with you and the countless others she touched throughout her career and time on this earth. I can’t believe she’s gone, but she will not be forgotten.
So what can we do to remember dear Sarah? She had friends around the world
Shocking and so sad.
Yes, pls notify me as new posts become availale. this is quite a shock and sad news.
Dick Mack
Schl of Biol. Sci/WSU
No words can express my sorrow over hearing this news. Our thoughts are with Brian and their many close friends. Sarah and I spent a lot of time together, most recently last year as we shared a bottle of wine and handed out candy to over 100 kids in front of my house in Southern California. We were close friends and part of the early years at CUH. I will miss her.
Dawn Neuman (CUH, 1989)
I’m shocked and so saddened. Sarah was a great teacher and mentor. I will miss her.
RIP Friend. You were an inspiration to all of us and were leading the UWBG to places it has never been before. We will honor you and your memory to make sure it is well cared for into the future and beyond. No words can possibly adequately express this profound sense of loss to our community.