Ernest Frederich Schaufler, professor emeritus of horticulture at Cornell, died April 26 at the Cayuga Medical Center. He was 87.

Born Dec. 29, 1923, in Brockton N.Y., two months after his parents emigrated from Germany, Schaufler entered Cornell in 1941, enlisted in 1942 and was called to active service in 1943. After serving in Europe with the Army Corps of Engineers, he earned his B.S. from Cornell (1948) and a Master's in the field of horticulture and education (1952).

His career was spent working at Cornell in the Cornell Cooperative Extension program as the 4-H club specialist in ornamental horticulture. He published more than 40 member and leader guides for annual flowers, perennial flowers, indoor gardening and landscaping youth projects as well as many extension booklets and the book "Gardening with Miniature Plants" (1987).

He earned a reputation as a well-prepared teacher whose workshops and training sessions included hands-on projects. He set up the original Master Gardener kits for annual flowers, perennial flowers and house plants, and hosted a horticultural radio program for many years on WHCU and throughout New York state.

After Schaufler retired from Cornell in 1983, he continued to share his knowledge with master gardeners and to judge 4-H exhibits at the New York State and county fairs.

His many awards include the Epsilon Sigma Phi (extension fraternity) award for weekly radio programs, Alice Dorscher Horticulture Bronze Medal from the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of 4-H Agents, Epsilon Sigma Phi New York State Distinguished Service Award, the Gold Medal of Honor Horticulture Award from the New York State Nursery/Landscape Association and Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Science's Alumni Award for Outstanding Faculty/Staff in 2002.

Schaufler was Varna United Methodist Church treasurer and trustee, Varna Boy Scout Troop 45 chair, Varna Community Association chair, and for many years, active member and chair of the Varna Volunteer Fire Co., where he was made a life member in 1989. He also served as Ithaca Memorial Society president and chair for Acacia fraternity's board of directors.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Beverly Pratt Schaufler '48, three children and their families.

A memorial service is scheduled for May 14 at 10 a.m. at Longview, Bella Vista Drive, Ithaca. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Schaufler's memory to Varna Volunteer Fire Co., 14 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca NY 14850; or Longview Horticulture Committee, 1 Bella Vista Drive, Ithaca NY 14850.