I read about this on another forum. February 13. He was a giant in the fruit growing world. I don't think that there will ever be an orchard like his again. He was very helpful to many others, especially in the HOS. He was really great about getting the Temperate Orchard Conservancy going too. He will be greatly missed.
John S
PDX OR
John,
This is such tremendously sad news. Nick was One-of-a-kind. I, like hundreds of others over the years, acquired scions of some of the rarest of apple cultivars which weren't available anywhere else in the U.S. I am saddened beyond words.
People like Nick Botner stand alone in their endeavors and contributions to the greater good. This is truly an unspeakable loss to the broad community of individuals whose efforts are indefatigable in the preservation and dissemination of fruit tree varieties -- most especially those in danger of extinction. It is without doubt that Nick's collection of apples will have spared some from loss.
He was a kind, generous man. Those who met him, or knew him, or who exchanged scionwood with him, will certainly find this a profound and sad end of an era.
Reinettes (Tim)
Decades ago I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Nick. At our “Scion Exchange” he’d shown up at my grafting station with an armload of trimmings to share - and in the other hand - a fistful he’d ‘just found’ that I helped turn into (more) trees 
Also had the privilege of helping propagate some of his amazing collection for the Temperate Orchard Conservancy, two tiny trees at a time...
As I age, beyond my children.. I will not be remembered nor appreciated for nearly as long as Nick. What a legacy ~
Here is an article about Nick from the Temperate Orchard Conservancy shortly before he died:
http://www.temperateorchardcon.....ut/botner/
John S
PDX OR
Idyllwild
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