Simon Clark, a relative of mine, who has died aged 84, was a botanist of desert and upland plants, a leading authority on apple and pear varieties, a long-distance walker, gardener, photographer and bon vivant.
At nearly 6ft 5in, and broad-shouldered, Simon was a towering presence, with a formidable striding gait who trod the footpaths of Britain, France and Spain into his mid-70s. He had a quiet demeanour, preferring the company of small groups, together with fine wine and food, to larger, more raucous gatherings. His intellectual curiosity, wit, humility and care for others won him many friends throughout his life.
Born in Monk Sherborne, Hampshire, son of Ruth (nee Evans) and Geoffrey Clark (an architect), Simon left school early to work in agriculture before his national service in postwar Germany – an experience that left a deep impression on him. He turned to academic botany as a mature student in his late 20s, taking a BSc at Trinity College, Dublin, and then a PhD at Sheffield University (where he met Ann whom he married in 1968), before becoming a lecturer at the University of Leeds.
His research papers focused on Mediterranean desert and highland environments and on heavy metals in the soils and plants of the post-industrial north of England. He derived great satisfaction from supervising projects and research work, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Research and teaching took him to France and Spain on numerous occasions. These European field trips were celebrated occasions among students and colleagues.
Simon’s love of Spain went well beyond his immediate academic interests. He walked nearly all of the long-distance paths in that country, including the famous pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. He also visited many Romanesque churches and contributed his high-quality images of them to photographic libraries. He was a lover of Spanish food and wine and remained an active member of the university’s wine-tasting society after taking early retirement from teaching.
Visitors to the home that he made in Leeds with Ann were offered fine wines from his extensive cellar.
As well as a scholar of plants, Simon was also an avid gardener, who cultivated a dense orchard of espalier apples and pears in his suburban garden. In retirement he became a leading authority on apple and pear varieties, working with the Northern Fruit Group to survey the fruit trees of the north of England, and developing the comprehensive Apple Key for their identification.
Simon is survived by Ann and his sister, Jane.
