FOXWORTHY, Fred W., Dr. 1877-1950

FOXWORTHY, WILLIAMSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/5/2015 at 08:11:53

Dr. Foxworthy Died At Berkeley, Calif.

Doctor Fred W. Foxworthy died February 4th in Berkeley, Calif. He had been in failing health for about a year. He was 73 years old. Funeral service and burial was at Berkeley on February 7th.

Dr. Foxworthy and Miss Mae Williamson were married in Des Moines fifteen years ago. They resided in Berkeley during nearly all their married life. They frequently visited at the home of Mrs. Foxworthy's mother, Mrs. R. J. Williamson, in Grundy Center.

Dr. Foxworthy was a native of England. He was a botanist and for several years did research work for the British government in the Malays and the Philippines. hH retired from this service and came to America to remain permanently. He was the author of several books on botany.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 February 1950, pg 12

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Tribute To Dr. F. W. Foxworthy

A Berkeley, California, newspaper gives the following account of the life of Fred W. Foxworthy, who died a short time ago in California. The California newspaper said:

"A few friends gathered today at an Oakland funeral chapel to pay final tribute to a Berkeley botanist whose death will be mourned in scientific circles around the world.

"Last rites were held for Fred William Foxworthy, 72, of 762 Arlington avenue, Berkeley, at Grant D. Miller's Cathedral Chapel, 2850 Telegraph avenue. Cremation was to follow.

"Dr. Foxworthy died suddenly and quietly Saturday night at the home of a friend, Bruno Pilorz, Piedmont, as he sat in the drawing room after dinner relating a story of the Malayan Peninsula, where much of his botanical work was done. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

"A partial list of Dr. Foxworthy's scientific club memberships hints at the career little known to his Berkeley neighbors. He was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Botanical Society of America, British Empire Forestry Association, International Association of Wood Anatomists, Royal Asiatic Society, Selangor Club of Kuala Lumpur, Society of American Forester, and many more.

"Since 1937, he had been associated with University of California, where his title was research associate in botany.

"Earlier, he was wood technician for the Philippines Bureau of Forestry and for 14 years was forest research officer for the Federated Malay States.

"Many rare woods that he discovered and classified are on exhibit in the Royal Museum in London. Many of them bear "Forworthia" as part of their Latin names--a tribute to their discoverer. Other botanists also have named plants and trees "Forworthia" in honor of the Berkeleyan.

"During World War II, Dr. Foxworthy was called to Washington by the Army to map the vegetation to be encountered in South Pacific Islands, on which he was among the greatest authorities.

"He was born in Goodland, Ind., and received his bachelor of science degree at DePauw university and his master of science and Ph. D. degrees at Cornell."

Dr. Foxworthy and Laura Mae Williamson of Grundy Center, whom he met in the Philippines, were married in Des Moines in July, 1934. After their marriage they took a trip around the world. His burial urn will be interred in the Williamson cemetery lot in Grundy Center sometime in May.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 16 March 1950, pg 8