The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) mourns the loss of Dr. Richard Criley, Professor Emeritus of Horticulture, who passed away recently at the age of 85. A cornerstone of the college for more than 50 years, Dr. Criley’s career was dedicated to advancing horticulture in Hawaiʻi and uplifting generations of students.
His journey with CTAHR began in 1968, shortly after he earned his PhD from the University of California – Los Angeles. Over the next 57 years, Dr. Criley’s passion for research and teaching became his life’s work. He famously “failed retirement,” remaining a constant and energetic presence in the Department of Tropical Plants and Soil Science long after his official retirement.
Colleagues recall that he was at the college every day, often tending to plants at the Magoon Research Station on Saturday mornings and serving on more graduate committees than many active faculty members.
As an educator, Dr. Criley left a lasting legacy, teaching courses ranging from the 100 to 600 level. He was known as a “walking plant encyclopedia,” equipping generations of students for careers in the industry. While he was a professor with high standards and rigorous grading, his students recognized that his critiques were always intended to help them achieve their full potential.
Dr. Criley’s scholarly contributions were equally remarkable, with research spanning the production and growth regulation of tropical flowers and foliage “from A to Z.” His excellence was recognized with prestigious awards, including:
- Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS).
- Alex Laurie Award for Research and Education (2002) from the Society of American Florists.
- ASHS Kenneth Post Award for outstanding ornamental publication.
- Distinguished service honors from the Hawaiʻi Floriculture and Nursery Association in 2025.
Beyond academics, he led an active life as a world traveler, gymnast, and surfer, catching waves until he was in his 70s. His dedication to his work was such that he even participated in graduate student proposals by Zoom during his final months.
Dr. Criley’s presence in our halls and at our research stations will be greatly missed.
