James,
Yes, I was lucky. Ralph Moore was a magnet for rose lovers all over California. He was an incredible man. He was still making crosses up until the time the nursery closed when he was 100 years old. Berling, of what is now called Burlington Roses, was his assistant for over 20 years and is carrying on his work as do the breeders he mentored.
I met him late in his career, but got to know many of the breeders he had mentored who have, in turn, been my mentors. Of course, I also had the opportunity to meet many of the people who just loved him and his roses.
Until he died, people from all over California and from other states, too, would gather at Sequoia Nursery to celebrate his birthday. All we did was talk roses.
Smiles,
Lyn
