ALMANAC BETWEEN ISSUES March 8, 2001


DEATH

Ian McHarg, Emeritus Professor, Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning

Ian L. McHarg, a professor here for more than four decades , known for introducing environmental concerns in landscape architecture, died on March 5, at the age of 80. He was an emeritus professor of landscape architecture and regional planning and the founder of the department that he chaired for three decades. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at the London Grove Friends Meeting, Route 926 and Newark Road, in London Grove, Chester County.

He was internationally known for his writing and teaching of environmental concerns in landscape architecture and planning. Instrumental in founding the original Earth Week, Professor McHarg worked to promote environmental issues in Washington by participating in conferences and task forces in the Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Carter administrations.

Professor McHarg earned his bachelor and master's degrees in landscape architecture and city planning from Harvard University, and began his career at Penn in 1954. He received the Harvard Lifetime Achievement Award and 15 medals, including the National Medal of Art and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture. Last year he was awarded the Japan Prize, a recognition given annually to scientists and researchers who have made a substantial contribution to the advancement of science and technology.

In 1984, Connoisseur magazine named him as one of 131 "American Living Monuments", and the American Institute of Certified Planners awarded him the Pioneer Award in 1997.

Professor McHarg was host of the CBS series "The House We Live In" and the film "Multiply and Subdue the Earth". His book, Design With Nature (1969)--widely considered one of the most important and influential works of its kind--has been one of the most widely used textbooks on landscape architecture and architecture in the U.S.

His publications also include A Quest for Life, The Once and Future Forest and To Heal the Earth.

He is survived by his wife Carol Smyser McHarg; sons Alistair Craig, Malcolm Lennox, Ian William and Andrew Maxwell; and two sisters. The family suggests contributions to the London Grove Friends Meeting, c/o Arthur Yeatman, 432 Leaman Road, Cockranville, PA 19330.


Posted 3/8/01

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