Sad news about Isaias Rolando

[labskaus]

That is very sad and tragic. My thoughts are with his family.

May he rest in peace.

Carsten

 

[Ron-NY]

Are you saying that he intended to commit suicide or that he was, for lack of a better word, murdered? Either way, the orchid conservation community has lost a very vocal champion of the cause.

Since yesterday, when I was told what drove his decision to end his life, I have received another communication. This is my most recent message:

"The case is under a full police investigation as the suicide´s note showed in a Tv program is a forgery."

 

[NYEric]

He previously posted about threats on the lives of his family. Life is so cheap to some, when profits are involved.

 

[Ron-NY]

Eric, his friends in Peru are not aware of any threats to his life.

 

[Ron-NY]

For those who do not know of Isaias, I have written a memorial release, with help from his friends in Lima, to OGD and will e-mail it to the AOS as well. I will paste a copy here.

Dr. Isaias Rolando was born in Lima, Peru April 7 1956. He obtained a Bachelor degree, in 1984, a Master Degree in Medicine and in 1986 a PhD Degree in Medicine. Ophthalmologist in 1984.

He has been an orchid hobbyist since January 1972 and in 1985 became a founding member of the Club Peruano de Orquídeas and served as its President from 1988 to 1990. He specialized in growing Cattleya and had the best collection of Cattleya rex and C. maxima in Peru. He made dozens of Cattleya hybrids, some still in the flask. Several orchids were named after him or his first wife, who predeceased him. (Stanhopea marisaiana, Masdevallia marisae, Ada rolandoi)

He completed an internship program at the Mary Selby Botanical Garden in the fall of 1989. In 1988 he was invited by the Minister of Agriculture of Peru to assist in the creation of the ‘Reglamento de Conservación de Orquídeas’, which became law in December of 1991 when signed by President Fujimori.

Since August of 1988 to the present he had been involved in developing an Orchid Garden in the Historical Sanctuary at Macchu Picchu. His work for 20 years in the development of the garden at the Macchu Picchu Pueblo Hotel was awarded by the AOS as an example of conservation in situ.

He has been an International Orchid speaker since 1989, having held conferences in such places as Florida, Georgia, Peru, Japan, Brazil and Canada, to name only a few.

He has been a member of the AOS Information Committee since 1999 and was invited to join the Conservation Committee for the next period. He was also a member of the Orchid Specialist Group/IUCN, representing Peru, since 1999.

His collection of nearly 2000 pictures of Peruvian orchids is one of the most complete documentation of Peru’s native species.

His last project was installing a rescue center for orchids at the town of San Miguel de Jepelacio, Moyobamba and the study of the Peruvian Vanilla that grows nearby.

His widow is planning to follow his plans.

 

[JeanLux]

Thank you for this information Ron! I did not have the chance to get to know Isaias personally. Nevertheless I am sure that through all of his orchid related activities he will remembered by the orchid-community forever. Jean

 

[SlipperFan]

Thanks, Ron. Very nice tribute.

 

[Wendy]

Well done Ron. I'm sure he would be pleased.

 

[WolfDog1 (C. Williams)]

I am bumping this thread because I was thinking about Isaias and remembering the 19 WOC in Miami.

I think we all need to remember those who have made a difference, not only to us personally, but to the world community as well.

Isaias is being missed by me today. May he rest in peace and his memory live forever.

Craig

 

[SlipperFan]

That's interesting -- I was thinking about him today also:
http://www.peruorchids.com/en/index.html

 

[JeanLux]

thanks a lot for the link Dot!!! Jean

 

[SlipperKing]

Same here Dot, thanks