Moment of Silence:
Robert L. Woerner, FASLA, 1925-2010

Robert Woerner, FASLA was a landscape architect for 50 years, working in government and private practice. He joined the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) in 1959 and served as the second president of the ASLA Pacific Northwest Chapter. Bob was named a Fellow of ASLA in 1978 for his service to the profession and works of landscape architecture. He was elected ASLA president in 1979. He also served as president of the Council of Landscape Architectural Boards in 1978. Bob is sitting here with his faithful companion, Andy.

Robert Woerner passed away peacefully on Monday December 20, 2010 in Doylestown, Penn. at the age of 85. A pneumonia condition, combined with his Parkinson's, was too much for his body to overcome.

Bob was born on January 31, 1925 in Rochester, New York to William and Loretta Woerner.  He was the youngest of six children.

“In my teen years,” he wrote, “I had the opportunity to attend a Scout camp at Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks. Here I came in contact with students in a summer program of the College of Forestry at Syracuse, which proved to be a major influence in my life.”

He enrolled in the New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University, but entered the Army less than a year later in April 1943.  He was a member of the Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon of the 303rd Infantry, 97th Division.  His unit participated in the battle of the Rhineland in 1945.  

Bob recalled: “We took up a position on the front lines along the Sieg River. Our unit’s role in the pursuit of the retreating German resistance was short-lived. By April we had advanced to Dusseldorf. The 97th joined with General Patton’s forces there. As our pursuing motorized column headed east toward Berlin, the jeep in which I was riding was wrecked, and I was seriously injured. I spent the last six months of my military service in Army hospitals in Europe and the U.S., and I was discharged in November of 1945.

He was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in action in April 1945; he was honorably discharged seven months later at Halloran General Hospital.

Bob returned to Syracuse University and earned a BA in landscape architecture in 1949.

“I headed west and spent the next year in Yakima, Wash., where I drew plans for a number of parks. I also initiated a city planning program for the community and designed a large residential subdivision with more than 300 home sites,” he wrote.

In 1950 he accepted a position as assistant superintendent of parks in Spokane. In Spokane he met Mary Jane Warn and married her on May 12, 1952.

“My park responsibilities included the planning and development of the Finch Arboretum,” he writes. “I was actively involved with the National Shade Tree Conference and the American Association of Botanical Gardens. This experience led to my being offered a position as first director of the new Denver Botanical Garden in 1956.

“After three years of this challenging public service, I chose to return to Spokane and enter the private practice of landscape architecture.  I designed plans for parks, schools, private residences and public areas throughout the northwest in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alaska. I continued this work for 40 years until my retirement.”

Bob was active in his profession, joining the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) in 1959.  He served as the second president of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of ASLA. Bob was named a Fellow of ASLA in 1978 for his service to the profession and his excellence in works of landscape architecture, and was subsequently elected president of ASLA in 1979.  He also served as president of the Council of Landscape Architectural Boards in 1978, and as a delegate of the International Federation of Landscape Architects. He had the opportunity to visit over 20 countries in Europe, Asia, and Central America.  “I met many wonderful people and enjoyed tours of the professional work being accomplished by landscape architects in the countries we visited,” he recalls.

Bob and Mary Jane enjoyed traveling for business and pleasure, treasuring the friendships they made along the way.  For many years they vacationed in Hawaii. They purchased a winter home in Sun City, Ariz. in 1991.

Mary Jane passed away on March 14, 2003. Since September 2006, Bob resided in Doylestown, Penn.

Robert is survived by daughters Jane and Anne, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his four brothers and sister.

Funeral services were held in Spokane, Wash. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane (https://shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Spokane).