Agriculture leader passes away

Clair Lammers in his apple orchard In August 2011. He loved to share information about growing fruit in Fairbanks.

Longtime Fairbanks resident and pioneer Clair Joseph Lammers, 77, died Dec. 24, 2012, while visiting family in Washington. He was affectionately known to local foodies as "the apple man," because of his amazing ability to grow fruit at his farm, Clair's Cultivations, off of Chena Hot Springs Road.

Following is his obituary from the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:

Lammers was born June 6, 1935, in Hartington, Neb., to Rudolph "Rudy" C. and Rose (Arens) Lammers. He graduated from Holy Trinity High School in 1953. He married Vivian Arens on June 12, 1956, in Bow Valley, Neb.

The Lammers moved to Fairbanks in 1964, where he worked as an X-ray technician at the Fairbanks Clinic. During the mid to late 70s, he worked as a Teamster, supporting the construction of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline.

He later worked as a cement truck driver for Fairbanks Sand and Gravel, from which he retired in 1990. His final career was as an apple orchard cultivator and nursery curator. His goal was to develop a viable apple orchard in the Interior to provide fresh fruit. He pursued this dream with determination and commitment, leading to the development of many hardy apple strains. His desire to develop a commercial orchard was one of many objectives and accomplishments he achieved in life.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for his unyielding love and commitment to his family. He lived his life with a big dream and worked hard to make it a reality.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian; his sons, Steve and Scott; son and daughter-in-law, Todd and Colleen; and son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Mary.

He has nine grandchildren; Stevee, Chad, Isaac, Sydny, Sarissa, Bayly, Jozy, Eli and Myley; and his siblings; Cyril, Vivian, Angela, Joan, Jeanne and Mark.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Jan. 4, 2013, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

Further reading:
When the apples bloom in Fairbanks, think of Clair Lammers, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Jan. 7, 2013, by Dermot Cole
Lammers' apples a fall tradition, UAF, Aug. 30, 2011, by Nancy Tarnai
Man is Interior's Johnny Appleseed, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Sept. 5, 2004, by Diana Campbell