It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father, grandad and friend. Dave slipped away peacefully with family at his side at age 90 on September 28, 2021. He is survived by his children Sara (Shawn), Janet, John (Lisa) and grandchildren Lindsay, Robert, Laura, Erin and Colin. He was predeceased by Mary, his beloved wife of 30 years, and his parents Isabella and Allan.
Dave was born in Victoria, BC on May 1, 1931. He grew up on Quadra St. surrounded by blooms in his parents’ large greenhouse operation and florist shop. He maintained the close friendships made at Cloverdale School that lasted for his entire life, soon adding many more while attending University School his senior years. He was very proud to be in “The First XV” on the University School rugby team and he also excelled in Cross Country. After 2 years at Victoria College, Dave went to UBC where he received his Bachelor of Commerce degree. Excelling in horticulture and plant physiology, he was invited to do his Master’s degree at Washington State and PhD at the University of Maryland.
Dave met Mary in Guelph, ON while he was doing his post-doc. They married in Prescott, ON in 1962 and lived in Victoria for the rest of their lives. A Biology Professor at the University of Victoria for 33 years, the first Plant Physiologist at UVic, Dave always said how fortunate he was that he was paid to do something he loved – teach and do research. He cared for the UVic greenhouses for decades purely for joy. He presented his research internationally which focused primarily on photosynthesis, plant hormones, the effects of air pollutants on plant metabolism, flower bud dormancy in rhodos and azaleas, growth studies aimed to improve efficiency in the greenhouse industry, and drought resistance. His conifer research yielded applications to the forestry industry and his research on coffee regulating harvest periods was meaningful to coffee growers.
After retirement from UVic in 1996 he became CJVI’s The Garden Show radio talk show host, took up the piano again, built another greenhouse, gave countless azaleas away annually leaving a lasting legacy in so many BC gardens, volunteered with garden societies, carried on his research and presenting at meetings , expanded his massive rhododendron garden, and of course, spent treasured time with his family and friends. With an enduring commitment to teaching he taught until he was 82 instructing thousands of UVic students over the years, in addition to Extension Courses, Continuing Studies and at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. Dave took photos of noteworthy gardens when he travelled, with a special interest in sharing his slides with long-term care facilities and gardening groups as a UVic Speakers Bureau volunteer.
Dave most enjoyed time with his family. He loved travelling, especially trips with Mary. There were numerous family car trips when the kids were young. In more recent years he and John travelled in North America and there were many fun trips to Calgary visiting with grandchildren there. Always a sports fan, he had a keen mind for hockey and baseball stats, however, his most loved games were those cheering and watching his kids and grandchildren, along with all their activities. He got a kick out of trains, especially steam locomotives, having had a line run behind his childhood home in Lake Hill. He was known to jump the boxcars from time to time (unknown to his mother). An avid reader, especially nonfiction, he was continually buying books and fostered a love of reading in his children and grandchildren. A glass of Scotch ended each day.
Dave grew up and lived in greenhouses his entire life – he shared his love of plants with everyone. Nothing would bring him greater joy than supporting your local florist and giving your loved one/friend flowers or planting something to bloom in your garden.
Dave was a founder of the Victoria Rhododendron Society, originating in 1979 with Saturday morning meetings in his lab at UVic -just to talk about rhodos with a group of interested gardeners. For donations to the VRS Pioneer Scholarship awarded to a 3rd/4th year Biology student at UVic with interest in Plant Sciences, please note the link: extrweb.uvic.ca/memorial/ballantyne Special thanks to exceptional aide Renee Wright for all her love and care. Our appreciation to Sunrise and Berwick.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall at Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 2:30pm. A reception will follow. Those unable to attend in person can attend virtually via Zoom. Contact McCall Gardens to receive the Zoom link. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dr David John Ballantyne May 1 1931 September 28 2021..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique