Born in Frankfort KY and moving to Unadilla NY at an early age, Dr August E Kehr was a much-published researcher with sterling credentials. His Doctorate in Genetics from Cornell University with minors in Plant Pathology and Cytology led him to positions on the faculties of Louisiana State University and Iowa State University, and then to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and to the Agricultural Research Service as scientist and administrator.

Mary Lou and Augie moved to Hendersonville NC in 1978 when he retired from government service. They lived, appropriately, on Tranquility Place. There, with Mary Lou's active support, he continued many plant research and hybridization activities, with a focus on chemically inducing polyploidy in rhododendrons and magnolias with the use of colchicine and pre-emergent herbicides. Among his hybridizing goals were the development of yellow magnolias and a yellow evergreen azalea —and even such things as seedless pawpaws and heat-tolerant rhubarb!

While his technical achievements are impressive, they are completely overshadowed by his human qualities. Augie was exceptionally gentle and kind, and always generous of his time and plants with experts and neophytes alike. In some of his last correspondence with a friend, they discussed how much enjoyment plants had given them over the years, and even more important than that, the enjoyment they had received from the people that grew the plants.

To see a larger image, and more information in a few cases, click its image, below. (If you have an image of Augie in action that you are willing to share, please email Bob Stelloh about it.)