[TN-Bird] More on Alex.Skutch

From: John Devereux Joslin <jdjoslin@xxxxxxxxx>
To: TN-Bird <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 20 May 2004 06:46:35 -0400
    Alexander Skutch would have been 100 years old TODAY had he lived
one more week.  Here is more on the incredible life of Alexander
Skutch.  An inspiration to us all.
    The following obiturary appeared in the premier English language
newspaper of Central America, The Tico Times (Costa Rica):

BIRD EXPERT DIES AT 99
    Alexander Skutch, a renowned ornithologist who authored 27 books
about birds in Central America, passed away peacefullly in his the
Southern Zone [of Costa Rica] on Wednesday [May 12].  He was 99.
    Skutch was known for his personal sacrifice in the name of his
research, which yielded works such as the three-volume Life Histories of
Central American Birds and A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica, an
illustrated guide widely known as the Costa Rican birdwatchers' Bible.
    "He is the only naturalist who removed himself totally from
affiliations with any university or research institution," said Julio
Sanchez, the curator of birds at the National Museum, last year.
    "He retired rom the world, almost monk-like, to live a simple life
so that the could be with the birds every hour of the day and learn
everything there is to know about the life of birds," Sanchez said.
    Skutch was honored for his work throughut his career. He was made an
honorary fellow of ornithological societies around the world and was
presented the Hal Boland Award from the editors of Audubon Magazine for
his "lasting contribution to the understanding, appreciation, and
protection of nature through writing."
    Skutch was also named a "Distinguished Citizen" by the community of
San Isidro de El General for his "constant search for equilibrium
between man and nature."
    Skutch gave property he owned near that community to the Tropical
Science Center on the condition that it remain absolutely undeveloped
and the he be allowed to live there for the rest of his life--which he
did.
    Skutch, a U.S.-Costa Rican citizen was also known as a sensitive,
thoughtful man with a great respect for the animals he studied so
rigorously.  Throughout his career, Skutch never caught a bird in a net
or collected a bird speciman.
    In his later years, Skutch became increasingly interested in
conservation philosophy and humankind's harmonious existence with the
natural world.
    During an interview las year, he said that this greatest concern
about the future is overpopulation and its impact on the natural world.
    A memorial service will be held at the Tropical Science Center the
afternoon of May 20 (today).

-The Tico Times,May 14, 2004

Dev Joslin
Oak Ridge, Roane Co., TN



=================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER=====================

The TN-Bird Net requires you to sign your messages with
first and last name, city (town) and state abbreviation.
-----------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------
To post to this mailing list, simply send email to:
tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
----------------------------------------------------- 
To unsubscribe, send email to:
tn-bird-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  TN-Bird Net is owned by the Tennessee Ornithological Society 
       Neither the society(TOS) nor its moderator(s)
        endorse the views or opinions expressed
        by the members of this discussion group.
 
         Moderator: Wallace Coffey, Bristol, TN
                 wallace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
     Visit the Tennessee Ornithological Society
          web site at http://www.tnbirds.org
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Topographical Maps located at http://topozone.com/find.asp
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    ========================================================
[TN-Bird] More on Alex.Skutch

Other related posts:
