Another fact about Leslie Woodriff that is well known within the lily trades is that during the early to mid 1980's when the Dutch farmers were making millions on Star Gazer, their perception of him became more and more over embellished with each passing year. They had never met Woodriff but in their minds had imagined him as a scientist dressed in a white lab coat in a fancy, well equipped laboratory; someone who lived in a big white house surrounded by sprawling fields of test lilies. It was decided that Piet Koopman would come to America and spend a few days with Woodriff to learn more about their American super hero and a report was to be published in an upcoming trade journal. On his flight back home, Koopman began writing his rough draft of report. He was confused; what should he say? He knew what the tradespeople and growers expected and wanted to hear, or should he tell the truth. He decided to write it exactly as the saw it. His report was published and the response was tremendous. In describing Woodriff's plight and in a collection started by Piet Koopman, about $45,000 was collected amongst the tradesmen and growers to help Woodriff.
Edit added. I have a couple pictures of Piet Koopman here somewhere. I'll dig them out and post them sometime in the near future.
