NKyTribune staff
Many people claim to have left their mark on the landscape of a community, but few could say that more accurately that Richard “Dick” Ammon.
Ammon (circa 2013 – provided photo)
Ammon, who founded Ammon Landscaping Inc. and played an integral role in the development of the Boone County Arboretum, died Sunday, Jan. 1, at St. Elizabeth Hospice Unit in Edgewood.
He was 87 years old.
Ammon established the nursery with his wife, Shirley in 1950, and the trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses that adorn homes, businesses and recreation areas throughout the region are a tribute to his life’s work.
Initially, Ammon peddled his services door-to-door and settled on land near what is now Mall Road that was owned by his father. In 1968, the family purchased farmland on Camp Ernst Road at the intersection of KY 18 (Burlington Pike), where Ammon Nursery is still located today.
Ammon loved landscaping and was tireless in the pursuit of his craft, once working on 30 homes in a single day.
He is credited with innovations such as putting in hedges to separate property lines and hiding foundations with lines of shrubbery.
The property on Camp Ernst Road was more than just a business. Ammon, his son Greg and his grandson Clay all have homes, and have raised families, on the property.
Hundreds of Northern Kentuckians enjoy the Boone County Arboretum each year, which Ammon had a key role in developing.
In 1996, the Boone County Horticultural Advisory Council and UK Cooperative Extension Agents began to focus on ways to preserve the county’s natural resources.
A plan was developed, with the assistance of the Boone County Fiscal Court, to establish an arboretum at Central Park. A few years earlier, the county had developed a baseball and soccer complex at the location, which included a walking and biking trail around the fields.
Ammon drew up the initial planting design and, together with other nursery owners and volunteers, created the Boone County Arboretum.
Ammon Nursery has been involved in projects at Coney Island, Miami University, the Cincinnati Zoo, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Ammon also led a crew and was an integral part of the landscaping design of Kings Island.
Ammon was a member of Burlington Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years Shirley Ammon; one daughter Pamela Bulla and a son Greg Ammon; two brothers Robert and Dr. John Ammon. He had 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
Visitation is Thursday Jan. 5th from noon until 2 p.m. at Linnemann Funeral Home and Event Center in Burlington. Funeral Service will follow the visitation. Burial will be private in Hopeful Cemetery.
The family suggests that Memorial contributions be made to St. Elizabeth Hospice c/o St. Elizabeth Foundation 1 Medical Village Drive in Edgewood, or The Alzheimer’s Association, 644 Linn St # 1026 in Cincinnati.
