Partnering with the Horticultural Research Institute, Hans Gunter Mecking's family and colleagues have established the Gunter Mecking Memorial Scholarship, benefitting green industry students who aspire to the same qualities that made Mecking so special: hard work, honesty, and commitment to the industry.

Mecking was a legend in the industry, specifically for his work in bringing peat moss solutions to North America. According to his long-time colleague and friend K.C. Browne, "no one understood the function of peat moss better than Gunter Mecking."

He was born in the early 1930s in Klein Reken, Germany, and grew up during World War II. A staph infection he contracted in his teens kept him out of fighting in the war and instead landed him in the hospital ward for long periods of time. According to his daughter, Maria, Mecking was in a full-body cast for 16 months during one stay. The struggle of his youth prepared him with the determination and grit that made him a stand-out professional in the green industry, according to HRI's press release.

 
Mecking's family had a peat moss business in Germany with ties to Klasmann-Deilmann. When he was nearly 30 years old, he became interested in growing the family business and traveled to Canada in search of a location for his peat bog.

He landed on a spot in Tabusintac, New Brunswick, and set up shop to develop a peat bog and business with his cousin, Bernd Georg Mecking, under the name Heveco. Heveco became the first Canadian peat moss producer to offer commercially available mixes, and it is still in operation today under the ownership of the Scotts Company.

"He provided so many jobs in that tiny little town," said Mecking's daughter, Maria. "That little town was basically fishing in the summertime and then hauling logs for lumber, so there weren't very many jobs in that area. He brought in 20-25 jobs, or maybe more."

Mecking was most passionate about listening to his customers to find out exactly what they needed, and then delivering. As long-time customer Peter Orum recalled, one year there was a shortage of peat moss and concern throughout the industry on being able to get the product.

"I called Gunter and he told me, 'Mr. Orum, shortage or no shortage, you will have the peat moss you need,'" said Orum. "He was a very honest and trustworthy man and he expected the same from you."

Mecking retired from the J-M Trading Corporation at 65 but desired to continue working. He found a fit with the Lambert Peat Moss Company and continued his sales career until a few years before he passed away, according to the Institute's press release.

The Gunter Mecking Memorial Scholarship fund was established at $20,000 and quickly grew to over $32,000 as more friends and colleagues learned of the endeavor to honor Gunter. Initial supporters, including Peter Orum of Midwest Groundcovers, LLC, Gabriel Lambert and K.C. Browne of Lambert Peat Moss Company, Joe Hobson of Midwest Trading Inc., and his daughter Maria attest that Mecking would have been extremely honored and appreciative of this fund in his name to support the industry's young leaders.

To make a donation or to support other HRI initiatives, call (614) 487-1117 or visit hriresearch.org.