Marc Cathey

H. Marc Cathey, a Davidson native, horticulturist and former director of the U.S. National Arboretum died Wednesday, Oct. 8. He was 79.  A memorial service is planned Sunday, Oct. 12, at 3 p.m. in the Davidson College Presbyterian Church sanctuary. A reception will follow in the Congregation House.

Dr. Cathey attended Davidson College for two years, then earned his bachelor’s degree in 1950 from  North Carolina State University. He went on to receive master’s and PhD degrees from Cornell University. He began his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and went on to become director of the National Arboretum from 1981 to 1993. He also served two terms as president of the American Horticultural Society.

He authored many publications, including the AHS “A to Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.”

After his 2005 retirement, he and wife Mary Jackson Cathey moved back to Davidson, living at The Pines at Davidson.

Besides his wife of 50 years, he is survived by his two children, Marcy E. Cathey and her husband Aaron Frank of Bowie, Md., and Henry M. Cathey Jr. and his wife Jodi of Chincoteague, Va.

Contributions in his memory may be sent to the American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, Va 22308; to the Davidson  College Presbyterian Church; or to the Residence Assistance Fund at the Pines of Davidson.

Read a full obituary of  Dr. Cathey below. Raymer Funeral Home in Huntersville is in charge of arrangements.

LINKS

July/August 2005, The American Gardner, American Horticultural Society, “The colorful career of ‘Dr. Purple’: H. Marc Cathey. CLICK HERE>

HENRY MARCELLUS CATHEY

H. Marc Cathey, 79, of Davidson, died October 8, 2008, at the Pines at Davidson following an extended illness with Parkinson’s disease.

Born October 23, 1928, Dr. Cathey was the son of the late Carl and Emily Cathey of Davidson.  Following graduation from Davidson High School in 1945, he attended Davidson College for 2 years, and then he transferred to and he received his bachelor’s degree from the North Carolina State University in 1950.  He worked as a florist in area two years before
going to Cornell University where he received his masters and Ph.D. in Horticultural Science in 1955.

He was a Fulbright scholar in the Netherlands in 1955 and 1956.  He went to work for the US Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, MD, in 1956 where he pioneered experimental research on florist and nursery crops.

From 1980-81 he was the visiting DC Kiplinger Chair professor at the Ohio State University.

For 10 years, starting in1981, Dr. Cathey was the Director of the US National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.  During that period he brought new gardens and exhibits including The National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, the National Capital Columns, the Asian Valley, the New American Friendship Gardens, and sustainable gardens.  He was instrumental in
the creation of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and AHS Plant Heat Zone Maps.

In 1995, he became President of the American Horticultural Society for the second time and later served as President Emeritus.  Dr. Cathey was a member of numerous professional societies related to the florist and nursery industry.  He was awarded many national and international awards for his work.  He wrote several books, made many television appearances, and hosted a weekly radio phone in show for many years.

He spent a lifetime of trying to make the world a more beautiful place through flowers, plants, gardens, research, and an imaginative and personal sense of humor.  He presented thousands of talks at national floriculture meetings, garden clubs, community groups, and more.  He passionately believed that plants were at the center of our future and
lived by the words, “Green is the color of hope, and in the color of plants is our hope for the future”.

He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church.  He served as a deacon and elder.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Mary Jackson Cathey and by his two children, Marcy E. Cathey and her husband Aaron Frank of Bowie, MD, and Henry M.
Cathey, Jr. and his wife Jodi of Chincoteague, VA. Four granddaughters, Emily, Ellen, Elizabeth, and Sarah (Miss Pink, Miss Peach, Miss Emerald, and Miss Ruby) also survive him.

He was preceded in death by his brothers LeConte and Carl Cathey.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 12, at the Davidson College Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Main St.  The Rev. Lib McGregor Simmons will officiate.  The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

Memorials may be sent to the American Horticultural Society, 7931 East Boulevard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308, the Davidson  College Presbyterian Church, or the Residence Assistance Fund at the Pines of Davidson.

Raymer Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family of Dr. Cathey.