Fullerton Arboretum Director Walkington Dies

David L. Walkington, professor of biology at Cal State Fullerton and director of the Fullerton Arboretum since 1985, has died after a long bout with cancer.

The 62-year-old Walkington died Wednesday at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton.

He was a member of the university’s biological science department for 30 years and held various administrative posts, including associate vice president for extended education, vice chairman of the biological science department, and associate dean and acting dean of the School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering.

“He was a renowned science educator,” said Miles D. McCarthy, former acting president of the university, who hired Walkington in 1963. “There’s no one locally who had as much respect in the field of science education as Dr. Walkington.”

Walkington, who was named the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce’s 1987-88 Man of the Year, helped develop the Youth Science Center of North Orange County, organized the Southern California Science Olympiad and worked diligently on behalf of the Fullerton Arboretum, even in his final days.

A graduate of Arizona State University, Walkington received a doctorate in botany from the Claremont Graduate School. He conducted research and published articles on plant biochemistry, medical biology, chemotaxonomy and pollen and was a recognized authority in the biochemical systematics of prickly pear cactus.

Walkington is survived by his wife, Loraine Hafford Walkington, daughter Lori Clay, son-in-law Michael Clay, and five grandchildren who live in Fullerton.

A private interment will be at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton. A memorial service will be held at the Fullerton Arboretum at 1:30 p.m. on May 1. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the David L. Walkington Scholarship Fund, Cal State Fullerton, P.O. Box 34080, Fullerton, Calif. 92634-9480, or the Campaign for the Fullerton Arboretum at the same address.