PORT ANGELES — The dedication of Peninsula College’s arboretum to the memory of Edward L. Tisch was a fitting tribute to both his work and his love of nature, said former colleagues, friends and family.
“This is a beautiful way to remember Ed,” said college President Tom Keegan at the dedication of the Edward L. Tisch Memorial Arboretum attended by about 100 people Friday.
“To me, this arboretum is Ed. It is natural. It is welcoming — understated, yet very rich; and thoughtfully done, with passion and hard work.”
Tisch died of sudden heart failure in September 2007 at the age of 70. He taught biology and botany at the college for 41 years — which remains the longest teaching career at the college — starting in 1966.
The arboretum is located at the northeast corner of the college’s main campus, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., and contains about 150 plant species native to Western Washington — from the creeping snowberry bush to the towering Douglas fir — on two-fifths of an acre.
Always dedicated to the study and enjoyment of nature, Tisch spent many weekday afternoons and weekends planting most of the plants himself.
A committee of about six people ensured the completion of the arboretum after his death.
‘Plantus compulsitis’
Retired Olympic National Park botanist Ed Schreiner jokingly said Tisch, like himself, had a case of “plantus compulsitis.”
“You just can’t not work with plants,” he said.
Tisch discovered two new species of plants on the Peninsula during his career — Tisch’s Saxifrage and the Ozette Orchid — and “categorized every kind of moss and liver wart,” Schreiner said.
The dedication ceremony ended with the cutting of a ribbon of salal by Tisch’s son, Ehrin Tisch, his widow, Joanne Tisch and Keegan.
“I just want us all to remember how good he was, how kind he was, how very near perfect he was in every way,” said Ehrin Tisch, choking back tears.
“Except for all those plants in the fridge and in the boxes,” he added with a smile.
A talented poet, Tisch was inspired by the natural world that he spent his life studying, said local conservationist and poet Tim McNulty.
Many in the crowd smiled as they reflected on the Tisch they knew while McNulty read several of his haikus, including one titled, “Piper’s Bellflower.”
“The entire sky leans in all directions trying to match your blue,” read McNulty, who is also a poet.
Tisch’s book of poetry, At the Open End of a Flower, was available at the ceremony, with proceeds going toward to Eward Tisch Memorial Scholarship fund, said his widow.
A former student of Tisch’s, Diane Kossendaus — who is now a professor of botany and horticulture at South Sound Community College in Olympia — said his passion for nature was contagious.
Loved native plants
“All of us who were his students knew how much Ed loved native plants,” she said.
Tisch had a way of capturing his students’ passion for the outdoors and helping them develop their careers around it, Kossendaus said.
“They get excited about it,” and they follow in his footsteps, she said.
“Or it just enriches their lives forever.”
Bringing the best out of people was something that Tisch was known for, Schreiner said.
“He inspired you to be greater than you were.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
