Robert ‘Bob’ Ivison, known for his impact on communities, green space management and the entire horticulture industry, has died aged 76 after a battle with cancer.

Ivison served as an international judge and board member at Communities in Bloom, where he also acted as chair of the programme and judging committee. The Canadian organisation comments on his passing:

“Bob brought an incredible depth of horticultural knowledge to everything he did, but it was his generosity in sharing that knowledge that made him so special. He was curious about every community he visited and genuinely interested in its people, history, gardens, landscapes and future.

“Those who had the privilege of working alongside Bob will remember his calm and patient nature, his wonderful sense of humour, his endless stories and his remarkable ability to make almost any conversation interesting. He was a true gentleman who never made you feel that he was simply there to judge, he was there to listen, encourage, teach and help.

“Bob believed deeply in the work of Communities in Bloom and in the difference that dedicated volunteers can make in their communities. His commitment to horticulture and to people left a lasting impression on so many of us.”

He began his career in horticulture 50 years ago, starting as an apprentice the The Royal Parks, to studying at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, through parks and green space management positions before running his own consultancy business until he retired in 2017.

He was also part of the education committee with The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, which he first joined in 2004, before being elected onto Court in 2019.

In his memory, his family are running a fundraising initiative to raise money for Isobel Hospice, which provided comfort to Ivison in his battle with cancer. For more information: justgiving.com/page/bobivison.