Background
Creech, John Lewis was born on January 17, 1920 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, United States. Son of Edward and Bessie (Faulkner) Creech.
Creech, John Lewis was born on January 17, 1920 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, United States. Son of Edward and Bessie (Faulkner) Creech.
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, University Rhode Island, 1941. Master of Science in Horticulture, University Massachusetts, 1947. Doctor of Philosophy in Botany, University Maryland, 1953.
Instructor horticulture University Massachusetts, Amherst, 1946-1947. Horticulturist Office Plant Exploration, Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture, 1947-1950, assistant chief new crops research branch Agricultural Research Service, 1958-1966, chief branch Agricultural Research Service, 1966-1972, scientist national program staff Agricultural Research Service, 1972-1973. Director United States National Arboretum, Washington, 1973-1980, North Carolina Arboretum, 1987-1988.
Senior adviser International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. Negotiator Bicentennial gift of National Bonsai Collection from people of Japan. Developer National Herb Garden.
Program director for conservation of plant genetic materials International Biological Program, National Academy of Sciences. Member panel Food and Agriculture Organization, 1966-1974. Preparer United States position paper for Stockholm Conference on the Environment.
Adjunct professor biology University North Carolina, Asheville. Board directors North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, interim director, 1986-1987. United States judge International Flower & Garden Expo, Japan, 1990.
Leader 9 plant expeditions Japan, China, Taiwan, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics, Nepal, 1955-1978. Co-chairman Genetic Resource Team, China, 1974. Review national general resource program United States Department of Agriculture, National Academy of Sciences, 1988-1992.
Consultant Time-Life Books for Children, 1993. Consultant in horticulture. Leader horticultural tours.
Member science & education committee International Dendiology Society.
(Oblong Sm Quarto, 1992, pp.223, A classic of garden liter...)
Captain United States Army, 1941-1945, prisoner of war, European Theatre of Operations. Member American Genetics Association (board directors, Meyer medal), American Horticultural Society (president 1954-1956, professional citation, Liberty Hyde Bailey medal 1989), International Dendrology Society (vice president since 1989), North Carolina Arboretum (life, board directors), Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Alpha Xi.
Married Amy Elizabeth Wentzel, February 14, 1942 (deceased April 1984). Children: Diane, Victoria, John. Married Elaine E. Godden Innes, July 10, 1984 (deceased July 2003).