David R. Herbert
Horticulture Class of 1967
June 7, 1946 - January 5, 2007
Dave Herbert in the Olds College Botanic Garden, 2002
A Life Beautifully Lived
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our sweet Dave; a respected horticulturist, conservationist, teacher, volunteer and activist. Most importantly loving husband, son, brother, father, grandfather and friend. Dave Herbert passed away at the age of 60 years after courageous nine month battle with cancer with his devoted love Sue and caring brother Ray by his side.
Dave grew up at his parents Dick and Anne Herbert's River Valley Ranch, a Quarter Horse and cattle farm in Lousana, Alberta overlooking the beautiful banks of the Red Deer River. Dave went to school with younger brother Ray in Trenville, Lousana and Delburne where he excelled in many sports.
In this breathtaking locale, Dave's love of science, nature and plants was nurtured. He went on to study horticulture at Olds College with Buck Godwin, his lifelong mentor and friend. Dave later established himself as one of the most preeminent landscape designers in Alberta while working for Lacombe Nurseries and Keith Construction; in Calgary designing and providing the trees for many communities including Lake Bonavista, where he and his wife Sue owned their first home.
In the mid 70's and 1980's Dave went on to run all of the Highfield Nurseries operations in Edmonton, Calgary, and at DeWinton; where he later established his own company, Herbert Nurseries, providing designs and plant material that were sought after throughout North America. The site of this nursery is now Cottonwood Golf Course.
A true turning point in Dave's life was returning to Olds College to inspire many young horticulturists by establishing the first Landscape Gardener Apprenticeship program which later led to the first university degree granting program at Olds College in Alberta. Dave also established Olds College Botanic Gardens which opened in 2002. Dave was a community leader volunteering his time as a coach, president of Olds Kiwanis and ran as the Liberal candidate for Olds-Didsbury. Due to Dave's vast knowledge of plant propagation he was invited to share this throughout North America and internationally, by South Korea, Holland, China and Kazakistan. In September Dave was honored with the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Society Of Aboriculture, Prairie Chapter.
Dave Herbert was a truly a humble man. All of these accolades were secondary to his sweetheart Sue, spending time playing sports with his kids, grandchildren and friends. He truly took time to "stop and smell the roses".
David is survived by his wife of 38 years Susan, his daughter Bonnie, husband Derek, and sons Chris, Lonnie, Mitch and partner Kara. Father Richard Herbert and brother Ray. Grandchildren Brock, Reid and Paige. Dave is also survived by his mother-in-law Betty Sawyer, Beth Sawyer, her husband Kris Pretty, Cathy Sawyer, Gord Sawyer and their girls Kate and Chelsea, husband Chad. Dave is predeceased by his mother Anne and his daughter Aimee, and father-in-laws Tom Sawyer and Jack McCarthy.
Dave's family would like to thank everyone at Olds Hospital for the outstanding care provided, the community of Olds, his friends and colleagues who helped out at the farm this year. Your love made a difference!
For more information please contact:
Cathy Scott
Alumni Affairs Officer
Office of Advancement
Olds College
4500-50th Street
Olds, Alberta T4H 1R6
Phone (403) 556-4748
Fax (403) 556-4704