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RUBERT WALDEMAR
PREVATT – 89 - Retired FSC Professor - Ledger, Wed., April 15, 2015
LAKELAND - Dr. Rubert Prevatt
passed away at home with family, of natural causes, on April 13, 2015.
He was born on May 15, 1925, in Seville, Florida, he grew up
working with his family in their citrus grove, and there began his love
of plants and soil.
Prevatt earned three degrees
from the University of Florida, his BS, Masters and PhD. During this
time he worked for Dr. Phillips in Orlando and had a brief stint at
Cornell University doing research for his PhD. He worked with the
Florida experiment station in Lake Alfred, now called the UF Citrus
Research and Education Center. Following that, he began a career
formulating fertilizer for the Southeast US with IMC. He spent
the majority of his career, from 1971-1999, as a Professor of
Citrus and Horticulture at Florida Southern College and was named
to the John and Ruth Tyndall Chair of the Citrus Department. He had a
passion for mentoring and teaching students who lovingly called him
'Doc,' leaving a lasting impact on the Florida Citrus industry and
culminating with an induction into the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame in
2014. He would fondly recall the many lessons his students taught him
and the significant impact they had on his life. He passed along his
love and passion for learning to his students, children and
grandchildren.
Dr. Prevatt was a rose
enthusiast who actually cultivated a new rose named, Dr. Prevatt. He
was a director of and held life membership in the American Rose
Society. Often referred to as 'Mr. Rose,' he got great joy out of
raising and exhibiting roses. He and Edna built the home of their
dreams in Lakeland in 1959, allowing for an entire yard full of roses
for family and friends to enjoy. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling, and
sponsored many trips where he took students overseas to study
horticulture during his time at the college.
He was recognized as a
world renowned leader in the studies of citrus and horticultural, which
lead him to the University of Brisbane in Australia where he taught for
six months. He also served with the Agricultural Cooperative
Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative
Assistance which traveled to Egypt, Spain, Brazil, Belize and China,
working with local farmers. He had the pleasure of traveling the world
with his beloved wife and enjoyed sharing stories of the many places
they had been, interesting people they met and friends they had made.
He was a cherished father,
grandfather, great-grandfather and husband. Married to the love of
his life, Edna, for 61 years, they are now reunited. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Edna.
He is survived by his loving daughters, Suzanne Trueblood Bart and Carol Sipe Chris ; grandchildren, Nicole Chapman Chris , A.J. Trueblood, Brad Sipe, Adam Sipe, Nathan Sipe; and great-granddaughter, Katherine Anne Chapman. The family would like to extend their love and thanks to the 'angels' who took such wonderful care of Rubert. A celebration of his life will be held at First United Methodist Church on Friday, April 17, 2015, at 2 00 pm. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com. |
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LAKELAND - Edna Harmon Prevatt
died at home of natural causes on January 2, 2015. Edna was married
to the love of her life, Rubert for 61 years. Born in
Bluefield, West Virginia, but Lakeland was Edna's home for 55
years. During that time she worked as a preschool teacher,
administrative assistant, volunteered as a Sunday school teacher,
served on the board of directors for Camp Fire, USA and was involved in
the Florida Southern College Faculty Wives association, among many
other activities. More importantly, she dedicated her life to her
husband, children and grandchildren.
Edna was a member of First
United Methodist Church in Lakeland. She was a rose enthusiast who
participated nationally in the American Rose Society. One of the great
joys of her life was traveling the world extensively with Rubert.
She is survived by her
husband, Rubert; two daughters, Suzanne Trueblood (Bart) and Carol
Sipe (Chris); grandchildren, Nicole Chapman (Chris), A.J. Trueblood,
Bradley Sipe, Adam Sipe, Nathan Sipe; and great grand-daughter,
Katherine Chapman. Her family would like to say a special thank you to
their 'angels' who took such loving care of Edna. A celebration of her
life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 72 Lake Morton
Drive, Lakeland, FL, 33801 on Wed., January 7, 2015. The family
requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Florida
Southern College Citrus Program, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive,
Lakeland, FL, 33801. Condolences may sent to the family at:
www.heathfuneralchapel.com – Ledger,Jan. 4, 2015
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