Kirk Pamper, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, accepting SAF's Tommy Bright Award in 2006.

Kirk Pamper, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, internationally recognized floral designer, commentator, instructor and consultant, passed away on Nov. 19.

Pamper earned many honors, including, most recently, SAF's Tommy Bright Award for Achievement in Floral Presentation in 2006.

"His greatest impact on the industry was that he had a vast wealth of knowledge, the talent to present it well, and he spoke to everyone on their level," says Jeff Corbin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI, of Radford City Florist in Radford, Va., who was chairman of the PFCI Board of Trustees when Pamper received the award.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University, Pamper appeared in numerous floral design shows and workshops, including AIFD Regional and National Symposia, SAF conventions, the Philadelphia Flower Show and the annual Holiday Expo at the Dallas Market. He taught as a floral design instructor for the University of Memphis's Continuing Education Department, was a Teleflora Education Specialist and was a member of the Creative Consultants Team for Syndicate Sales, Inc.

He was a contributing author for the "Centennial History of the American Florist" and "The AIFD Book of Floral Terminology." He played a lead role in writing the 2005 "AIFD Guide to Floral Design: Terms, Techniques and Traditions." In addition, Pamper's design work and writings have appeared in industry publications, such as "Flowers&" and his creations have been seen in "Fleur Design" magazine of Canada.

Pamper earned many industry honors, including SAF's Tommy Bright Award for Achievement in Floral Presentation (in 2006) and the AIFD Award of Distinguished Service to the Floral Industry (in 2005). He served SAF as a member of the PFCI Board of Trustees.  He was AIFD's national vice president, on its Membership, Marketing, and Education Committees and was president of its Southern Regional Chapter.

There will be no immediate memorial services — as per his wishes, Pamper's remains will be donated to the cancer research institute at the University of Tennessee. His family does plan to hold a celebration of his life in the spring of next year.

Read Pamper's autobiography.

--Vanessa Machir
vmachir@safnow.org

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