Showcasing northwest plants since 1963

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As a biology teacher at Everett High School, Andy Sudkamp was infected with a love of the natural world. He shared that love with everyone around him, often exclaiming, “Isn’t nature wonderful?” He cultivated nature in the showcase garden that was his backyard, featured more than once in the Evergreen Arboretum’s Gardens of Merit Tour.

His artistic nature drove him to create beautiful botanical illustrations. He loved to garden and to cook, but hated cell phones. He believed that everyone has within them something special to give to this world. 

Andy had just spent four days enjoying his large, extended family in Arizona when he set out with one of his brothers, Dave, to hike the Grand Canyon for the fourth time. Heading out from the south, they hiked for two days. Andy collapsed and died of cardiac arrest that second evening, just a few hundred yards from their planned camping site.

The Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens Society is seeking donations for a stone sculpture (details below) that captures the spirit of Andy Sudkamp. Our goal is to raise $10,000. The Arboretum Society is hoping for installation by mid-April, 2019 in the South Area of the Arboretum at 145 Alverson Blvd in Everett’s Legion Park. We hope you will consider this project worthy of your support. To donate on our website use this link: http://www.evergreenarboretum.com/donate.asp

Or donate on our GoFundMe page at:  https://www.gofundme.com/andy-sudkamp-memorial

 Excerpted from Andy’s obituary in the Herald:
"He cared deeply for and cherished his students at Everett High as unique individuals, each possessing true gifts to make this planet a better place.Andy's spirit was nurtured by the smallest of creatures and plants and he shared that sense of wonder with all who knew him. His passions were wide and varied: mountains and wildflowers, hiking and camping, gardening and cooking,languages and travel, art, science, and history. His affection for his family,friends and students and his keen sense of humor are qualities that made him loved and respected by so many that he met along his trail.  He was taken from us way too early, but he was doing what made him so very happy. Cherish the times we had to share. His life serves as a lesson to us all. Savor life and believe in yourselves. "

The Evergreen Arboretum and Gardens Society hopes you will consider a generous donation to this fund in Andy Sudkamp’s memory. Referred to as Snohomish County’s treasure, this 3.5 acre arboretum has ten themed gardens and sculptures throughout the park. 

Sculpture details: Artists are currently submitting images to the City of Everett Cultural Commission of sculptures or a concept for a commissioned piece and images of other work they have done. Basalt or other stone is the preferred material. A three foot square concrete plinth with a steel plate has been readied for this piece in the arboretum’s South Area garden slated for a mid-April installation.

 The Evergreen Arboretum & Gardens is registered as a 501(3) C non-profit with the IRS and all donations are tax-deductible.