Gilbert Gude, a philanthropist, environmentalist, and Republican representative in the Maryland General Assembly and in Congress, died June 7, 2007 of congestive heart failure at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. He was 84. Gude is survived by his wife, Jane Callaghan Gude; two daughters, Sharon Gude and Adrienne Lewis; three sons, Gilbert Jr. (Brett), Gregory Gude and Daniel Gude; and three grandchildren.

Gilbert Gude and his family played a very important role in the early history of the ASPB. Gilbert’s father, Adolph Gude, Sr., Adolph, Jr. and sister, Elizabeth operated a successful nursery on the family’s property in Rockville, Md. Gilbert Gude also worked there, applying his degree in horticulture from Cornell. As the Rockville area became busier with development, the Gudes decided to relocate. Completing his father’s preliminary plans, Gilbert finalized the donation of the family’s five acres with nursery, private home and barn to the American Society of Plant Physiologists (ASPP). ASPP, founded in 1924, subsequently changed its name to ASPB. The society converted the property into its national headquarters. For more details on the ASPB-related aspects of the Gude family, please consult the book, History of the American Society of Plant Physiologists by Jack Hanson. It is available online (download the Chapter 5 pdf and search on “Gude” – or just jump to page 203).

Today, ASPB headquarters still resides on the beautiful Gude property. The commercial nursery is long gone, but the grounds continue to be skillfully landscaped. The charming, renovated colonial family home provides offices for the Society’s staff and is the venue for many ASPB committee meetings. ASPB’s staff and committee meetings are held under the steady gaze of Gude family portraits outside the conference room. Clearly, the Society has benefited from the generosity of Gilbert Gude and his family.