Ian Firth

Ian James Willis Firth, age 78 of Athens, Georgia, passed away May 21, 2022. He was born June 23rd 1943, in Leeds, West Yorkshire (England) to the late Harry Firth and Sarah (Willis) Firth. After graduating from high school in Leeds, he went on to further studies graduating from Oxford University with a BA and then MA in Geography in 1965 and 1970 respectively, completing a PhD in Town Planning at the University of London in between (1967) and finally gaining his diploma in Landscape Architecture from the University of Edinburgh in 1971. Landscape Architecture was his life’s passion and following a period of 6 years working for the town planning office of Cheshire County Council in the UK, he moved to Athens, GA to join the faculty of the University of Georgia as an Assistant Professor in the School of Environmental Design.

Ian spent the rest of his working life teaching students at UGA, embracing his Athens life and becoming a naturalized US citizen and a tenured Professor, with an ever-increasing fan-base of students and fellow faculty over the years. He was a valued member of the Faculty for the Study Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy for several years and often spoke fondly of his adventures with fellow students and faculty on these trips. During his illustrious career, he was given the Distinguished Faculty Award by the UGA School of Environmental Design Alumni Association twice, and an Outstanding Educator Award by the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture, demonstrating the respect he earned from his colleagues and his love and aptitude for teaching.

Ian retired in 2004 with the title Professor Emeritus and maintained close contact with the University, numerous previous students as well as previous and current faculty members. He also became a member of the University of Georgia Emeriti Scholars Committee. His academic career resulted in the authorship of several books and book chapters on the cultural landscapes of several National Parks, as well as many monographs, journal articles, professional reports and abstracts.

In addition to his trips to Italy on behalf of UGA, Ian loved to travel within the US as well as exploring different areas in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Brazil, Kenya and Canada, to name just a few of his favorite places. He especially loved to arrange trips with friends to historic rentals through the Landmark Trust.

He moved to his home of 45 years in Cobbham in 1975 and was an active and dedicated member of the historic Cobbham Foundation. Ian served as the Vice Chair of CF during the development of the Cobbham Triangle Park, now a well-known landmark in the Cobbham neighborhood. While in Cobbham, Ian was renowned for his social events where his signature salmon soup was always the talk of the town.

In the last 6 months of his life, Ian left his beloved home in Cobbham to live in Presbyterian Village Athens, where he made even more friends and was able to spend his last months in a place where he felt comfortable. His new apartment was bright and full of light and he enjoyed having friends visit. He was able to take his faithful dog, Cider, with him and she had such fun in the quad during the daily doggie playtime, giving Ian and other dog-loving residents time to meet, chat and enjoy all the doggie antics.

He is preceded in death by his parents Harry and Sarah Firth, and his sister Daphne (Firth) Jennings. He is survived by his brother-in-law Geoffrey Jennings; his nieces and nephew: Karyn Colman, Nicky Hargrave, and Tony Jennings; his faithful canine companion Cider; and a host of other extended family members and friends.

Ian was a very private but fun-loving, generous, and kind individual who easily made friends wherever he went and was a much-loved friend and family member. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be held on Friday June 3rd, 11am, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Athens, Georgia.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, GA, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com