death. Te article originally appeared in the NJTA publication, Clippings, in the Fall 2005 edition.
Dr. Indyk’s early involvement with the turfgrass sod production industry is reported in that article, “In the “early days,” he made significant contributions to the Cultivated Sod Association of New Jersey which he helped form in 1962 and served as its secretary for more than 30 years. He also worked with Wiley Miner in the development of sod-harvesting apparatus and served as Executive Secretary of the American Sod Producers Association (now Turfgrass Producers International) for 5 years.”
As the American Sod Producers Association (ASPA) archives report, Dr. Indyk’s first official role was as “interim association executive.” Later, it is noted, “Dr. Indyk served as Executive Director from 1969 to 1973.” Indyk had helped ASPA grow to the point where, in 1973, it was able to hire Bob Garey as Executive Director, with his firm, Garey Management Organization, Inc. (Garmo) providing the full range of association services from their headquarters in Hastings, NE.
As part of thanking Dr. Indyk for his service over those years, he was honored as ASPA’s first Honorary Member, also in 1973. Dr. Indyk’s love of the industry and his continued support, were reflected in many ways, including his 30-year role as secretary of the Cultivated Sod Association of New Jersey.
As the Clippings article reports: “Five decades of professional experience in turfgrass management earned Dr. Henry W. Indyk world-wide recognition. His contributions towards the cause of better turf during the more than 30 years as an Extension Specialist in Turfgrass Management at Rutgers University, and the 15 years after his retirement from Rutgers in 1990 are legendary. He worked to promote excellence in turfgrass science and his efforts resulted in an elevated image of the turfgrass industry.
He was instrumental in the formation of the New Jersey Turfgrass Association and was the driving force behind the development of the annual New Jersey Turfgrass Expo (educational and trade show exposition) in 1974. His vision of the Expo promoting a partnership between turfgrass science and the turfgrass industry so that both entities would thrive and develop a heightened level of communication continues to this day. Te education program was designed to also provide State of New Jersey DEP certified education credits for pesticide applicators, license holders, and other practitioners.
Dr. Indyk served on committees and boards of organizations representing turfgrass interests including the New Jersey Turfgrass Association, Cultivated Sod Association, American Sod Producers Association, Sports Field Managers Association of New Jersey, Sports
TPI Turf News January/February 2018
Turf Managers Association (national), Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey (served as Executive Director for 13 years), Irrigation Association (both New Jersey and national), Bergen County Landscape Contractors Association, Plant Food Educational Society of New Jersey, New Jersey Parks and Recreation Association, Associated Landscape Contractors, and Cemetery Association of New Jersey.”
Te SportsTurf article also mentions Dr. Indyk’s work on the national level with the Landscape Industry Advisory Council and the Musser Turfgrass Association. He was instrumental in the development of the Certified Sports Field Manager program for the Sports Turf Managers Association.
In addition, Tracinski reported in the SportsTurf article, “Indyk also worked to bridge the gap between practical and research-oriented programs at Rutgers. First, he encouraged an outstanding student to concentrate on the turfgrass area. Ten he persuaded the administration to create a new research position in which Dr. Reed Funk has made a tremendous impact on the turfgrass industry.”
Te Clippings article notes he was honored with several prestigious awards, and lists: Te Irrigation Association (national) Man of the Year Award in 1978, the New Jersey Turfgrass Hall of Fame Award in 1985, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey Distinguished Award in 1989, and the (national) Sports Turf Manager’s Harry Gill Award. Te Harry Gill Award, STMA’s highest honor, was presented to him in 1994.
As the Clippings article reports, “Dr. Indyk published in many journals and books and lectured internationally on the topic of turfgrass management. He provided leadership in Rutgers Cooperative Extension activities related to all facets of the turfgrass industry including: in-service training of county agents; writing of Extension publications; dissemination of turfgrass information through lectures, newspapers, radio, TV, and live demonstrations; organizing and conducting conferences and field days; and advisory assistance on turfgrass problems.”
Dr. Indyk also gave a “Soils 101” presentation that was so comprehensive, yet easy to understand, that it was repeated on several Conference programs by attendee-request, and always delivered to a packed house.
And Clippings further reports, “Dr. Indyk was a strong advocate for the certification of seeded turfgrass varieties, and initiated a sod certification program in New Jersey, the first of its kind in the United States. He was integral in developing the concept of modular and movable turfgrass playing surfaces. Notably, he served as a consultant in the re-construction of the Los Angeles Coliseum playing field for the 1984 Olympics.”
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