Wilma Rittershausen
22 September 2011
Wilma Rittershausen, orchid enthusiast, author and artist, has died at the age of 72.
In her lifetime she contributed greatly to the orchid world, helping to raise the profile of annual orchid symposiums at the RHS in association with the British Orchid Growers' Association (BOGA).
She wrote for the OSGB Journal and The Orchid Review where she enjoyed 15 years collectively as editor. She introduced the Awards supplements with the orchids awarded by the RHS.
Her writing continued as she produced 20 books in total. In 2009 her brother Brian and Wilma were awarded the RHS Westonbirt Medal for 'outstanding literary achievement with orchids.'
Her funeral was held at the Exeter chapel on 8 September.