Charles J. Lapham (1934—2009)
By Ronald L. Jones, Eastern Kentucky University

Over the past decade Charles J. Lapham has been one of the most important figures in the Kentucky Native Plant Society, in Kentucky botany, and in the botany of the southeastern United States. Charlie, as he preferred to be called, passed away on October 26, 2009, of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He had been in poor health for several years, mostly related to heart disease and diabetes, and was only recently diagnosed with lymphoma. In recent emails he informed his close acquaintances of his situation, and was characteristically matter-of-fact in describing his time remaining. He expected to have a few more months, or maybe a few years, but he suffered a major setback on Wednesday, the 21st, and never recovered. He was 75 years old.