Robert Danielson – Bradenton, Fla.

Bob was born January 11, 1925 on a farm near Creston, Iowa to Emmett and Anna Danielson. Bob's father passed away on Bob's 12th birthday and he and his mother moved into Creston with his grandfather. Bob had a paper route and did errands for the hotel and drug store to help his mother with a little money. His best friend's father had a small greenhouse and Bob worked there part time which was to later be his life's profession, flowers and plant production.

Bob graduated from Creston High School in 1943. The day after graduation, he took a bus to Des Moines to join the Navy. He went directly to training camp and then served for over 2 years in the South Pacific.

When his enlistment was over in 1946, he went home to Creston and then enrolled in
class at Iowa State University. With the help of the G.I. Bill and by working part time in greenhouses in Ames, he graduated in 1951 with a degree in Horticulture.

Bob's first job was in Winona, MN where he managed a large greenhouse for 11 years. After that he was requested to come to West Chicago, IL to interview for a job managing a greenhouse and trial grounds for Geo. J. Ball, Inc. The Ball Company even at that time was a well known firm all over the United States for sales of seeds, plants and other supplies for greenhouses and florists. Bob was given the job that day. Mr. Victor Ball then took Bob to meet Elaine Booth because Elaine did the cost accounting for the greenhouse crops. Bob called Elaine two months later and asked for a dinner date. Ten months later, Bob and Elaine were married! They were able to celebrate their 49th anniversary August 2 this year.

Bob was a very dedicated employee for Ball. He later worked for another Ball Company named Pan American Plant Co. which was primarily based in Cortez, Fl and later Parrish, Fl. Bob was a very hands on guy and helped set up standards for the production of mums and later kalanchoes and African violets. These cuttings and plants were shipped to Ball customers all over the United States. By this time Bob was vice-president of production for Pan Am Plant. Bob was considered very much of an expert in plant production and trained many employees in proper procedures and for disease control. Bob traveled extensively for the Ball Co. to visit customers and suppliers. He was always able to solve disease and production problems. He also traveled with Ball salesmen and with Mr. Victor Ball to visit customers and suppliers. He was well known all over the United States and still hears from people that he has worked with and known in the business.