Dr Kirk Strawn
Dr. Robert “Kirk” Strawn, 86, of Lake Ruby Drive in Deland passed away peacefully on June 9, 2008, at the West Volusia Hospice Care Center.
Born in Deland on May 26, 1922 at the old Deland Hospital, Dr. Strawn grew up in the citrus groves and cattle pastures of his family’s farm. After service with the U.S. Public Health Service and Navy Seabees during WW II, he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Texas. Forty years later, after retiring from his extensive academic career, he attained prominence in the international water lily community for his pioneering hybridization work. In his last years, he moved back to Deland to live in the loving care of his family.
Dr. Strawn’s distinguished academic career spanned four decades. While holding faculty positions at Southwestern University at Georgetown, Lamar University, University of Arkansas, and Texas A&M University, he published over 75 scholarly papers in 20 journals, and chaired the committees of 73 master’s and 31 Ph.D. students. At Texas A&M University in College Station, he was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and he was also a fellow of the Texas Academy of Science and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. As a research scientist, he published papers on the temperature tolerance of various fish and crustaceans, seahorse husbandry, mudminnow hatching physiology, and many other topics. His research and commitment to mentorship made him a leader in both academic and commercial areas of aquaculture.
During retirement, Dr. Strawn became a leader in the international water lily community and forged a living legacy by unlocking secrets of water lily hybridization. As one of the founders of the International Water Lily Society, he served on the board and was elected to the second presidency in 1991. His wholesale nursery, Strawn Water Gardens, shipped tens of thousands of water lily plants around the world. With an uncanny ability and a fascination for tackling research questions, he took on the task of how to hybridize hardy water lilies. In 1981, he produced his first unique water lily variety and named it Charlene Strawn, after his wife. Today, over 50 varieties of his breathtakingly vibrant water lilies are grown around the world. A tribute to Kirk written by one of his graduate students stated: “All those who know Kirk Strawn acknowledge his deep love for humanity, nature and understanding; his kindness and utter honesty; his willingness to help wherever there is need. This is a man totally devoid of selfishness, jealousy, grudges, and hidden agendas. We are all the better for his having worked among us.”
Dr. Strawn is survived by his wife Charlene Delores Stevenson Strawn, who lovingly cared for him during his long illness: three sons, Terry Charles Strawn of Austin, Texas; Steven Kirk Strawn and wife Laura of Deland; and Robert David Strawn and wife Gari of College Station, Texas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Devon Lyn Strawn and wife Christine of Seattle, Washington; Nathaniel Kirk Strawn of Greenbelt, Maryland; David Kirk Strawn of Austin, Texas; Julia Stevenson Strawn and Emily Belle Strawn of Deland; and Taylor Strawn and Natalie Strawn of College Station, Texas. He is also survived by two brothers John R. Strawn of DeLeon Springs; and David U. Strawn of Deland, FL; cousins Sylvia Strawn Crump, Marilyn Strawn Tankersley, and Joel Strawn; and numerous other cousins and relatives. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Strawn’s home caregivers, Mary Caperilla and Melissa Lewis, and the wonderful staff of West Volusia Hospice which allowed him to stay at home. A memorial service will be held at Seminole Woods Cemetery on Seminole Springs Rd in Eustis. Memorial donations may be made to The Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, 3800 Woodbriar Tr., Port Orange, FL 32129. Allen-Summerhill was in charge.
If you wish to contact the family you can use this email address for his daughter-in-law Gari Strawn.
