Fred McCorkle showing how aquatic plants can be very effective biofilters in a koi pond.
Fred McCorkle passed away at home on January 13, 2010, in North Port, FL. After brain tumor surgery last January, Fred went through extensive treatment and was cancer-free for most of the year. Then in late fall the tumors returned and grew extremely quickly. This time his options were very limited and the prognosis definitely not good. Fred, being the master planner and realist, elected to go with hospice and spend his remaining time at home, which he did.
Fred was always a classy, get-it-done kind of guy ... he never saw problems, just situations that required action. Most of you never knew him; he was the invisible guy who became IWGS Journal editor after James Allison. Fred was the one who for several years poked and prodded for articles, feedback, and ideas. He portrayed the public face of the Society in print.
My relationship with Fred began in 1995 when he helped me start a local pond club in SW Florida. He became our first newsletter editor and held the position for 7 years. As the president, I came to rely upon his incredibly logical and dependable way of doing things and spreading information/education. Somehow he was able to maintain a focus on all our goals – education, information, fun, and publicity.
Fred also created and edited another publication to support the brand new All Florida Koi & Pond Show (AFKAPS), a cooperative effort hosted by all the pond and koi clubs in the state … a new concept at the time. Once again Fred reliably produced something that kept everyone in the loop and focused on more than individual or club interests. He helped everyone work towards an event that would be perfect for newbies and aficionados, for plant geeks and koi nuts, for tire kickers and experienced old hands. With everyone focused on the goal, we were sure to succeed … and of course we did.
Fred was a koi nut and I was the plant geek. Over the years we had lots of fun teasing each other about the relative importance of fish or plants, even writing about it on occasion. Then the amazing happened ... Fred sold his huge (25-30") show koi and converted everything to lily ponds. Of course he learned about lilies with the same enthusiasm and thoroughness he had previously relished on koi.
When the IWGS needed a Journal editor Fred stepped up. I was delighted since we had such a good working relationship. It also provided an excuse to get together (we live 50 miles apart) to go over proofs of each quarterly issue. Once again Fred always worked to create a balanced publication that would meet the needs of all components of the organization, while getting input and articles from as many people as possible and keeping things on schedule. His balancing act was closely timed so that each issue would be ready on the specified date.
I had an incredible respect for Fred. He taught me lots about writing, about getting things done, about how to live, and ... unfortunately ... about how to die. We worked very well together, enjoying our frequent disagreements yet always agreeing on a course of action. Fred was the only Marine/freelance writer/editor/koi fanatic/lily lover I've ever known ... and I sincerely doubt there will ever be another. I will miss him greatly.
As per Fred's instructions, there will not be a memorial service. Once a decision is made about where to send memorial donations, I will post them to the online group.
Written by Paula Biles
