Roll Call Tribute

Alan Brian Stevens 

January 21, 1947 - February 13, 2026 

Alan Brian Stevens passed over Friday, February 13, 2026, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha, Kansas. He was born January 21, 1947, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Philip Stevens and Marie (Siebert) Stevens. Alan graduated from Bremen High School in 1964 in Midlothian, Illinois, received his BS in 1970 and Masters in 1974 from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and his PhD in 1990 from Texas A&M University. His marriage to Kathleen McDermott gave him a son Michael and a daughter Susan. September 13, 1997, Alan married Judith Wolney-Wegener in Hiawatha, Kansas, Todd and Christopher Wegener became his step-sons. Alan is survived by his wife Judith of the home of rural White Cloud, KS, son Michael (Claudia) Stevens, daughter Susan (Mitch) Martin, sister Lynn (John) Lewellen, step-sons Todd and Christopher (Melissa) Wegener; four grandsons: Connor and Liam Stevens, Soren and Alec Martin. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother Paul Stevens.

Alan was a partner in a wholesale greenhouse in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and owner of Sun Flowers Greenhouse and Nursery in the same town. He developed a landscape maintenance program for inmates in a federal prison system. Coming to Kansas State University after completing his PhD, Alan was instrumental in the commercial greenhouse industry: he created and was the Director of the K-State Research Center near Olathe until he retired; Executive Director of the Kansas Greenhouse Growers Assn; received the Pitch in Award from the Greenhouse Growers; served on the Board of Directors for the Mid America Green Industry Council; developed the Prairie Star Program, a commercial grower's guide to flowers tested for viability in Kansas; coached flower judging teams; served on the Board of Directors for Botanica Gardens in Wichita, Kansas; founder and President of the Preserved Floral Products Association; consultant to Greenhouse Enterprises in the United States, Canada and Mexico; author of the Gardening Blog carried by 13 newspapers; produced multiple videos on Gardening that broadcast on YouTube, Google, K-State Extension Network; wrote the book: Field Grown Cut Flowers: A Practical Guide and Sourcebook; served on the Advisory Board of the Kansas Department of Commerce Economic Development; received the award, Communicator of the Year for Extension/Agriculture; was president of the Associated Youth Services for 20 years; received the volunteer of the year award from the United Way in Kansas City, Kansas; served on the Board of Directors for Doniphan County Farm Bureau; served on the Executive Committee for the Economic Development Advisory Board for the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; was an adjunct faculty teacher for Johnson County Community College, received the Lieberman Teaching Excellence Award.

Alan was a person who reached out to help others. As he traveled the state, lecturing on the Prairie Star research, Alan made many friends that lasted a lifetime. Even after retirement, you could count on him to give you advice on what to plant where. Alan was often called the peony man as that flower was his main research. He loved his family and always made them feel that they were first in his life. Alan was the example of a life truly lived.

A celebration of his eternal life is planned for 11 a.m. Monday, February 23, 2026, at First United Methodist Church of Hiawatha. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.