Sam Vander Kloet (1937-2011), honorary research professor in Acadia's Department of Biology, passed away while on an evening walk in Wolfville, Friday, January 21, 2011. A long-standing member of the Biology Department, Sam arrived at Acadia, Nova Scotia, in 1972 as an Assistant Professor at the invitation of E.C. Smith to take on the Directorship of the E.C. Smith Herbarium. Sam had a passion for blueberries and was recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on this group of plants. This love took him far and wide across the planet in search of near and distant blueberry relatives. This lifelong research program resulted in his contribution to Volume 8 of the Flora of North America regarding the taxonomy of the genus Vaccinium and close relatives.

Following his retirement in 2001, Sam continued to pursue his research and actively collaborate with colleagues at Acadia and beyond. Locally, he was recognized as the ultimate proponent of active transportation, and could be seen cycling or walking in any weather in any season, including nearly daily trips between Wolfville and the Kentville Research Station. He remained very active on Acadia's campus and was a constant presence in the K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens where he tended his beloved blueberries, offered his expertise, and shared his concern for our environment with Garden volunteers, students, and visitors.

See also:

Lohrer, F.E. 2016. Sam P. Vander Kloet at Archbold Biological Station  

Newell, R.E., and R. Evans. 2012. Obituary / In memory of Professor Sam Vander Kloet FLS. Botany 90(5):v-vi.  Sam Vander Kloet (1942–2011) (cdnsciencepub.com)