QBARS - v27n3 C. T. 'Ted' Hansen 1902-1973

C. T. "Ted" Hansen - 1902 -1973
H. J. Slonecker, Milwaukie, Oregon

One cannot visit the Crystal Springs Island Rhododendron Garden in Portland, Oregon, without feeling and seeing the great influence Ted had on this garden. His recent passing will not alter this. It will live on as a monument to him and to the handful of others who conceived and brought it into being.

Ted was most active in the Society for many years from his appointment as show chairman by President Claude Sersanous for the first large competitive show of the ARS which was held in the Portland Chamber of Commerce Information Center in 1949. He served the Society in many capacities other than as Island Committee Chairman. He served on the National Board of Directors for many years starting in 1952. He was general chairman for the International Rhododendron Conference held in Portland in 1961. This smoothly run conference became a model for national conferences and annual meetings.

But it was the Rhododendron Island that was his main love and it was toward it that he directed his main energies and his amazing inspiration that infected all of us who worked with him.