Hybridizer Hubert A. Fischer (1896-1981)

Hinsdale, Illinois, USA

From the Bulletin of the American Iris Society No. 245(April 1982). Irisarians and horticulturists of the world lost one of their truly great members on November 2, 1981, when Hubert A. Fischer, of Hinsdale, Illinois, died after a month-long illness. Hubert was a 1920 Charter Member of the American Iris Society. He and his wife Marie were early iris fanciers, and soon became acquainted with leading iris growers. As their interests included perennials other than irises, they soon established show gardens, first in Lombard, Illinois, and later on their fourteen-acre estate in Hinsdale, which under their meticulous care and horticultural ingenuity became well known as one of the finest privately owned garden show places around Chicago. Here visitors were treated to spectacular displays of literally thousands of blooming tulips, daffodils, hybrid poppies, peonies, irises, hemerocallis, all amid a park-like surrounding of evergreens, oaks, elms, and willow trees, with plush green lawns. In the late '60s and early '70s, an outstanding display of hostas was added among the pine trees.

Hubert and Marie were active hybridizers of poppies and irises; several of the latter, including DU PAGE, TRUTH, and MEADOW SNOW, were introduced. Hubert was better known for his hemerocallis orginations, which included Oriental Ruby, Green Valley, Red Spinel, and Thumbelina. Hubert will be long remembered for his great interest in horticulture, having been an active member of the Chicago Horticultural Society; the Men's Garden Club of America (Chicago and Hinsdale); the American Hemerocallis Society (Past President); Chicagoland Daylily Society (Founder); and the Northern Illinois Iris Society. He served as RVP of Region 9, AIS Director, and AIS President (1963-1966). He will be remembered for his many interesting talks and slide shows frequently given to groups all over the world. He will be remembered for his seed transfer programs to hybridizers in foreign countries.

As AIS President, Hubert was instrumental in establishing the AIS Foundation; in arranging for and establishing the rules and methods for local iris societies becoming affiliated with AIS;.in providing for Sections of AIS in order to promote the interest in irises of all kinds; and for developing and assuring the future of scientific growth within AIS. For his extreme devotion to horticulture and for the fruits of his efforts, Hubert A. Fischer received many medals and awards during his long, colorful and active horticultural life. AIS: Distinguished Service Medal, Chicago Horticultural Society Medal, Men's Garden Club of America Medal, American Hemerocallis Society: Floriadi Medal, President's Cup, three Don Fischer Memorial Awards, two Achievement Awards, Bertrand Farr Award, Two Lennington All American Awards, American Horticultural Congress: Outstanding Gardener Medal.

After his term as AIS President, Hubert became an extensive world traveler, usually making his visits during peak bloom periods: England (irises and roses); Germany (fall garden shows); Italy (three times to the Florence International Iris competition); South Africa (wild flowers and orchids); Australia (irises and ferns); and Japan (chrysanthemums). He was an invited honor guest at the Moscow Botanical Conference, and was invited to view the Russian Crown Jewels. His travels also included Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Tahiti, India, Kashmir, Nepal, and mainland China. In addition to all these trips, Hubert found time to attend almost all AIS conventions. His stamina belied his age, and gave him the opportunity, and the pleasure, to meet with horticulturists all over the world, making many long-lasting friendships. His gentleness, sincerity, humor and willingness to participate at all levels, made him an outstanding ambassador in the horticultural world. Marie and Hubert lost their son Donald in the late '50s, and Marie died in the early '70s. Afterwards, Hubert lived alone, not willing to give up his home and garden, but maintained communications with his multitude of friends throughout the world. He had been a wholesale diamond and precious gem dealer in Chicago for more than fifty years. Edward E. Varnum

Registrations/Introductions:

Tall Bearded: 'DuPage', 'Evening', 'Meadow Snow', 'Star Sapphire', 'Truth'.

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