Scott Merlyn Aker was born July 8, 1965 in Rapid City, South Dakota to Merlyn Aker and Darlene (Brick) Aker. The family lived on a hill overlooking Spring Creek south of Rapid City until 1972, when they moved to Whitewood, South Dakota. Scott attended grade school in Whitewood and junior high and high school in Sturgis.
Scott was awarded a National Merit Scholarship for his high-test scores and attended the University of Minnesota – Saint Paul, where he graduated with highest honors with a degree in horticulture. Next, he attended the University of Maryland – College Park, where he earned a master’s degree in horticulture.
After a short time working as an extension office urban horticulturist, Scott was hired by the United States National Arboretum in Washington, DC, where he rose to become head of the public gardens. He also wrote a weekly garden column for the Washington Post, “Digging In” and was a contributing writer for Time-Life books on gardening. Scott married Laurie Helman in Laurel, Maryland, where they lived and had twin sons. The marriage ended in divorce. Scott served in several leadership and volunteer roles in Saint Phillip’s Episcopal Church in Laurel.
After retiring from the national arboretum, Scott accepted a position as Director of the Cheyenne Botanical Garden in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 2022. Scott passed away at home in Cheyenne October 13, 2025 from complications from medications he was taking to prevent recurrence of melanoma.
Scott is survived by his sons, Forest Aker, Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Stokes Aker, Lansing, Michigan; a brother, Alan (Heidi) Aker, Piedmont, SD; a sister Cindy Ladner, Rapid City, SD, and a sister Deb (Dan) Schmidt, Whitewood, SD, and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Scott was preceded in death by his father Merlyn in 1992 and mother Darlene in February 2025.
Scott was a redeemed Christian, a devoted father, a giver, a plant collector, a loyal friend, a true leader, and delighted in sharing the gift of laughter.
Visitation will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Whitewood from 5-7 pm October 24. His memorial service will be at Immanuel Lutheran at 10 am October 25. Interment will be at the Whitewood cemetery immediately after.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.