Stanley F. Bachman died July 15 at the age of 93. The beloved industry leader and member of SAF’s Floriculture Hall of Fame once said, “Even as the world becomes more sophisticated and mechanized, the role of flowers, plants, and trees will become increasingly important in everyone’s lives.”
The floral industry lost one of its most beloved leaders July 15, after Stanley F. Bachman died at the age of 93. Bachman, a member of the Society of the American Florists’ Floriculture Hall of Fame and a former president of his family’s retail florist, Bachman’s Inc. in Minneapolis, was known as a visionary, mentor and, above all, a man of integrity and kindness, said former SAF President Rod Saline, AAF of Engwall Florist & Greenhouses in Duluth, Minnesota.
“First and foremost, he was just this extraordinary gentleman — one of the kindest people you’d ever want to know,” said Saline, who was around 10 years old when he first met Stan, a longtime friend of Saline’s own parents. “He was a real pioneer of change in the flower business, too. All of us learned a lot from the Bachman family, and from Stan. Whenever you saw him he was so engaging and interested in you. He always asked lots of great questions.”
Stan was born June 8, 1924. As it was within the Bachman family, at an early age he started working in the family vegetable business established by his grandfather, Henry Bachman Sr. The company transferred its emphasis to flowers in 1930, and in 1946, it was incorporated as Bachman’s Inc., and the younger (third) generation assumed management; this was the generation of Stan, his brothers and sisters, and his cousins. Stan served as president of Bachman’s Inc. from 1971 to 1989, and was chairman of the board of directors from May 1989 to May 1994.
Among many other roles in the industry, Stan served multiple terms as the president and director of the former North Central Florists’ Association (today, the Minnesota Florists Association). He was also an active volunteer leader within FTD, SAF, the American Floral Endowment and the American Floral Marketing Council. In 1989, he was named to SAF’s Floriculture Hall of Fame, the industry’s highest honor.
Stan was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Georgia. He is survived by two sons, four grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on July 20, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. at Richfield Lutheran Church (8 West 60th St., Minneapolis). For more information, visit Washburn-McReavy.com or call Edina Chapel (952) 920-3996.
