The Iowa Stater
May 2001
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Boon's path
To the Editor:It was great to see the article about Professor [Bill] Boon's retirement. Even though I graduated in '79, I still can remember a design class where he told us he had flown to see a client and forgot to bring the design with him and he started off the presentation, "Imagine with me if you would," and still got the project.
Boon's "outside the box" thinking is a critical key to helping entrepreneurs succeed. Some people are "interested" in enjoying life and some are "committed." Bill Boon falls into the latter.
My passion for landscape architecture and contracting was ignited by Bob Dyas, Gary Hightshoe and, of course, Bill Boon. If it wasn't for his creativity, besides not having the passion to develop our own successful horticultural business, I wouldn't have done things like being featured on Dream Jobs on USA Today's Web site career section or written two feature articles for a national gardening magazine.
You have to be willing to take that chance to walk where others may not for fear of being perceived as different or unique. I can tell you, it is more fun to pass through this life following the path laid down by Bill Boon.
— Glenn Rieker ('79)
Pocono Lake, Penn.