The Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford Memorial Tribute — affectionately called “Bucks for Bobbi” by Professional Floral Communicators – International — continues her legacy of educating, inspiring, developing new talent and promoting a healthy floral industry. To contribute, go to endowment.org/donate.
Professional Floral Communicators – International (PFCI) has established “Bucks for Bobbi,” a memorial tribute through the American Floral Endowment (AFE), in memory of celebrated floral designer and mentor Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford, AAF, AIFD, PFCI. She passed away on Feb. 3, 2017.
Created with a $1,000 contribution from PFCI members, the Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford Memorial Tribute — affectionately called “Bucks for Bobbi” — honors her life and contributions to the floral industry.
“Bobbi was an inspiration and left an impact on everyone she met. We miss her dearly and cherish our memories of time spent with her,” said PFCI Board of Trustees Chairman D Damon Samuel, AAF, AIFD, NAFD, NMF, PFCI, of the Bill Doran Company in Omaha, Neb. “So much of what AFE does is what Bobbi was all about — educate, inspire, develop new talent and promote a healthy floral industry. Bucks for Bobbi is our mission to honor Bobbi and continue her life mission.”
Barbara “Bobbi” Ecker-Blatchford of Watervliet, Michigan was born on Aug. 24, 1931 and devoted her life to the floral industry. She worked at her family’s floral and greenhouse operation, Ecker’s Flowers, in Waverly, Iowa. She later started her own company, The Flora Pros., in Chicago. For 15 years, she also worked with FernTrust, Inc., a co-op made up of 13 family farms in Seville, Fla.
Over the course of her 60-plus-year career, Ecker-Blatchford became a noted speaker, commentator, award-winning floral designer and consultant to manufacturers, growers and distributors in the U.S., Canada and South America. In addition, she established innovative and cutting edge floral techniques and concepts that are still in use today.
She was recognized and honored by many industry groups, including the American Institute of Floral Designers, International Floriculture Expo and Michigan Floral Association. PFCI honored Ecker-Blatchford with the 1997 Tommy Bright Award for lifetime achievement in floral presentation.
The talented and forward-thinking designer was highly regarded in the industry and will be remembered fondly by her peers for her love of hats, her light-hearted spirit and joy she took in people, flowers and life.
To contribute Bucks for Bobbi, visit endowment.org/donate (be sure to specify in the description box that your donation is for Bucks for Bobbi) or mail contributions to:
American Floral Endowment
c/o Bobbi Ecker-Blatchford Memorial Tribute
1001 N. Fairfax St., Suite 201
Alexandria, VA 22314
AFE Memorial Tributes are a special way to remember and honor industry members, family and friends. A $1,000 contribution establishes a tribute. Once established, contributions can be made in any amount, and the family is always notified of a donation.
