By Karen Andrew
Enquirer staff writer

INDIAN HILL- Robin Brooking Hastie was an avid horticulturist, founder of Mountain Laurel Nursery and a world traveler.

"He was an exceptionally gentle, kind and generous human being," said his nephew, Aaron Brooking Dessner of New York City. "He was really an amazing horticulturist. With an encyclopedic knowledge of the flora and fauna and wildlife of the Ohio Valley, Robin was an invaluable resource to his customers and a joy to be around."

"He was universally well-liked and admired for his goodness and kindness for all those that he came in contact with," said his brother-in-law, Steve Dessner of Indian Hill.

Mr. Hastie, 51, died Saturday after falling about 80 feet from the side of the old National Distillers building in Carthage. As one of the owners of the property, he was preparing the building for demolition to redevelop the site.

He was born in 1952 in Cincinnati to Betty and Ross Hastie. His maternal grandfather, Alex Brooking Davis, founded Hilton Davis Chemical Co. in Roselawn.

Mr. Hastie, who lived in Indian Hill, grew up on Ridge Road in Amberley Village. His home and yard were full of flowers, thanks to his mother, an accomplished horticulturist, and he also had exotic pets. He became inspired by nature and developed an interest in landscape design.

After graduating from Cincinnati Country Day School in 1970, he earned his bachelor's degree in animal science and horticulture from Ohio State University's School of Agriculture in 1974He did graduate studies in horticultural science.

He began Mountain Laurel Nursery in 1980 in Newtown, which was later relocated to Perintown. He sold the nursery a year ago.

His landscape designs won numerous gold medals at the annual Cincinnati Flower Show at Ault Park, including the American Horticultural Society's Flower Show Award in 1994 and the Cincinnati Horticultural Society's Janet Meakin Poor Award.

Other interests included travel, with trips to Europe, Thailand, Bali, China and New Zealand, and sailing on the Queen Elizabeth II to England five years ago with his family.

His memberships included the Ohio Plant Selection Committee, which is an honor for a nurseryman.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Mindy Fine Hastie, who was his childhood sweetheart; two daughters, Emily and Elizabeth, who live at home; and three sisters, Sally Dessner of Indian Hill, Marianne Wheeler of Kenwood, and Betsy Casto of Orlando, Fla.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Weil Funeral Home, 8350 Cornell Road.

A reception for family and friends will be held 5-6:30 p.m., also on Wednesday, at Kenwood Country Club, 6501 Kenwood Road.

Interment will be in Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials: Wise Temple Organ Restoration Fund, 8329 Ridge Road, Cincinnati, OH 45237; or League for Animal Welfare, 4193 Taylor Road, Cincinnati, OH 45103.

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E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com