In Remembrance

Foster F. Purrington

We sadly lost entomologist Foster Purrington on August 13, 2023. I remember well our delightful personal meetings on two occasions and our many years of engaging correspondence on matters of 'ground beetles'. Foster was an avid field collector who kindly sent me many interesting specimens that often provided new state records at https://bugguide.net/node/view/744417. As a frequent contributor there, Foster's role was cited simply under his initials "FFP". Foster Purrington lived several years relaxing and collecting insects in Zolfo Springs, Florida after retiring from a long career in the entomology department at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.

Here are a couple of the personal letters I received today regarding Foster:

Aug 20 2023
Dear friends/colleagues of Foster,
My dad Foster passed away peacefully August 13, 2023 at his apartment in Madras Oregon. Colin and I were both with him. He moved here from Florida last fall, heartbroken after the sudden passing of Cathy Drake, his partner of 30 years. Two months ago he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which he chose not to fight. He was an entomologist to the very end, finding carabids in his yard here in Oregon and critiquing Colin's nature blog posts. I'm sending this note to people he emailed the last few years but am sure I am missing many other important contacts. Colin, too, has written a few colleagues. We miss his passion for life, his amazing stories, his dry humor, his love for us.
Teal [Teal Purrington] tpurrin@yahoo.com

Aug 20, 2023 to the carabid@lists.berkeley.edu on behalf of Kip Will
Dear All,
Please see the sad news regarding the passing of our colleague Foster Purrington. Foster was an important mentor to me during my undergraduate days. His sharp wit, extensive knowledge of carabids and other topics, and the strong encouragement he gave me will be remembered and missed.
Kip [Dr. Kipling Will]

While Foster did not have a personal profile on BugGuide.net, his name and his influence certainly prevailed there as exemplified here:

https://bugguide.net/node/view/1248555 Reference to Foster’s species key for Pasimachus.

https://bugguide.net/node/view/1279310 Reference to Selenophorus chaparralus Purrington, new species.

https://bugguide.net/node/view/588096 Another reference to Foster.

https://www.researchgate.net ResearchGate.net holds only a small sample of Foster’s dozens of published scientific entomology papers. Search “Foster Purrington”.

I'm sure several BugGuide members have fond memories of Foster. We shall miss him. Sincerely, Peter Messer

… Peter W. Messer, 20 August, 2023 - 3:35pm

Beatriz Moisset

I just learned from from a note posted on her Facebook page that long-time contributor Beatriz Moisset is no longer with us. I know she will be missed here.

… Cotinis, 18 October, 2022 - 10:27am

Beatriz didn't know me,

...but she was so important to my discovery of insects. It has been my great fortunate that she contributed her photos. I live relatively close to her, so when I found BugGuide in 2010, her postings were a built-in filter for me to identify the common insects in my area. And often her images had commentary on identification.

… Karen Campbell, 4 December, 2022 - 3:51pm

Beatriz

helped teach and welcome me to BG when I joined as an overly ambitious youth. I am saddened to learn of her loss, she will be missed.

… Vespula Vulgaris, 9 November, 2022 - 7:39pm

We truly lost a wealth of information.

She was always very informative and helpful.

… Lisa I., 2 November, 2022 - 5:21am

She surely will be missed here.

So sad to hear. Condolences to you.

… Laura P., 18 October, 2022 - 8:02pm

Beatriz was a key foundationa

Beatriz was a key foundational player at the early stages of BugGuide.

… David Moll, 18 October, 2022 - 4:38pm

Bob Patterson

After struggling for many years with poor health, Bob Patterson passed away peacefully in he sleep yesterday morning, 9/28/2022.

As most moth enthusiast likely know, Bob created the Moth Photographers Group website. His contributions to the mothing community cannot be overstated. He was a huge inspiration to me and many others.

You can learn more about how Bob got his start on his Moths of Prince Georges County, Maryland website.

Bob Patterson

… Steve Nanz, 29 September, 2022 - 1:36pm

I'm so sorry to read this.

I have been so humbled to receive help by so many professionals in my amateur search for identifications of what I find. It makes me so sad to lose someone for whom I have had great admiration

… Gacko, 2 October, 2022 - 12:23pm

Christopher Adam

Chris passed away December 31 2021.
Chris was active on BG from 2005 to 2020, posting 3,231 images.
A field companion, sadly missed

… A.W. Thomas, 3 January, 2022 - 9:12am

Jeff Moore

Jeff passed away February 21, 2021

… john and jane balaban, 8 April, 2021 - 11:33am

Email from Jeff's wife

Hello, everyone,
This is Jeff's wife, Peg, writing from Jeff's email account. Some of you I have never met, and I so apologize for this less-personal group email, but I wanted to let you know that Jeff passed away on February 21st of (primarily) lymphoma. If this is the first you are hearing of this, *please* read his beautiful obituary linked to at the bottom of this email. And for those of you who knew Jeff well--or even medium or a little--especially if you aren't on Facebook and haven't been in touch with someone you and Jeff knew in common--I wanted you to receive this message below about the memorial gatherings we'll be holding for him.

Also, there are many people--perhaps you--who have **soooo kindly** reached out to me through email and cards and to whom I've not yet replied but sincerely hope to before *too* long!!! To these people, for now, THANK YOU with all my heart!!!

Please feel free to share the info below with anyone you feel would like to join us in honoring Jeff. No RSVP needed, though for Michigan, we're hoping to get somewhat of a general idea.

With appreciation for **you**!
Peg

Josh, Beth, June, and I will be hosting *two* gatherings in Jeff's honor:
IOWA:
(INDOORS)
Saturday, June 5
2:00 Visiting
4:00 A focused time of honoring Jeff, followed by more visiting.
(No food is planned.)
Stonebrook Community Church
Ames, IA (link below)

MICHIGAN:
(OUTDOORS--bring your own food and beverage if you want [no alcohol, please]; definitely your own lawn chair and/or blanket.)
Saturday, September 11
Rain date: Sunday, September 12
4:00 Visiting
5:00 A focused time of honoring Jeff, followed by more visiting.
Willowicke Inn
Williamstown, MI (link below)

At both locations, we will be following the state's, city's, and venue's current COVID guidelines for masks, social distancing, etc. If you have questions about them, feel free to check in here when the date is closer.
I will be wearing "dressy casual" (lol, whatever that is!) in Iowa.
I will be wearing "casual" in Michigan.
I will *not* be predominantly in black.
(*You* may wear whatever you like! Just come and be comfortable!
If you haven't seen Jeff's wonderful obituary, *please* go to the Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors website (WALLED LAKE location, link below).

Josh, Beth, June, our families, and I would love to see--even meet--anyone who would love to come honor Jeff!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, each and every one of you who has already upheld us in so many BEAUTIFUL ways these last months! We feel it and are so profoundly grateful!
Peg

http://m.lynchandsonswalledlake.com/obituaries/events...

https://www.willowickeinn.com/

https://stonebrook.org/

… Moni Hayne, 8 April, 2021 - 10:15pm

Ron Hemberger

I've come across Ron a few times here on BugGuide, as he posted quite prolifically between 2006 and 2019 (18212 comments!). Today I was wondering how he was doing, and saw that his last post was Jan. 13, 2019. The following link indicates that Ron passed away August 21 that year. I didn't really know him, but his insight and funny comments will be missed!

Ronald Allen Hemberger: https://prabook.com/web/ronald.hemberger/501084

Profile page: https://bugguide.net/user/view/5057
Portraits of him: https://bugguide.net/node/view/83960

… Armin Hinterwirth, 30 March, 2021 - 4:56pm

Ron

When I first started on BugGuide Ron was one who helped to truly make it an "on-line COMMUNITY of naturalists." He made bugging and posting fun and his personal comments always made my day!

… Gacko, 2 November, 2021 - 11:06am

A tremendous loss...

Back in 2008, when I first got started on BugGuide, I knew I had found a kindred spirit who not only shared my interest in arthropods, but also my love of wordplay and occasionally dark sense of humor and outlook on life. For awhile, we corresponded via email fairly frequently. Unfortunately I only managed to meet up with him in person to go out and photograph together on two different occasions. I wish there had been more... For those who might appreciate seeing what I believe is the most recent photo of him, here's a pic of the two of us from 2009:

I'm very glad that I (and others) will be able to revisit all of the 1000s of helpful, friendly, witty comments he left on this site over the years. I miss you, Ron.

… Harsi S. Parker, 31 March, 2021 - 9:07pm

A close friend ...

We always used to kibitz on each other's posts. He was not only knowledgeable, but a wicked sense of humor. We often exchanged humorous antidotes on late night phone. My favorite advice, concerning an insect I found where not supposed to be, Ron said, "If they have wings, all bets are off." I tried calling after Covid started, now I know why. I will dearly miss Ron. I can't believe two of my best BG friends, Ron and Shotgun Eddie (Edna Woodward) passed away a month apart. May angels sing you both to your rest.

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 31 March, 2021 - 7:43pm

Ron

I remember him well. I will miss him.

… Beatriz Moisset, 31 March, 2021 - 10:18am

Thanks for running this down,

Thanks for running this down, Armin.

I think Ron was a BG major player early on.

… David Moll, 30 March, 2021 - 8:17pm

I remember ...

enjoying reading all the comments on the portrait pages when I first came across them. I’ll miss his humor.

… Laura P., 30 March, 2021 - 7:16pm

Agreed...

Even though this site is all about arthropods, my favorite photo on BugGuide might be the one of Ron as a little boy in his sailor suit during WW2.

… Armin Hinterwirth, 30 March, 2021 - 7:25pm

My favorite

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 31 March, 2021 - 7:49pm

Another sad loss

Thank you for letting us know.

… Lynette Elliott, 30 March, 2021 - 6:46pm

Dave Ruiter

This was posted on the caddisfly listserve Trich-L today.
********
We are saddened to relate that Dave Ruiter of Grants Pass, Oregon, USA died from complications due to colon cancer on February 4, 2021. He was 73 years old. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Terry Ruiter. Dave’s camaraderie, encouragement, and humor will be greatly missed. Early in his career as a biologist Dave actively decided to devote his scientific curiosity and enthusiasm to the study of the hairy-winged insect order. Over 40 years he shared this passion with the greater community of caddisfly scholars and enthusiasts. He generously supported young students starting out on their career path. He was an active participant in International Trichoptera meetings and the Society for Freshwater Science. Dave was ever ready to help, advise, and share.

… Brady Richards, 5 February, 2021 - 8:38pm

I was about to write Dave whe

I was about to write Dave when I was amazed to learn of his passing. What a major loss for BugGuide and for all the people he worked with. I didn't have the chance to know Dave for very long, but enough to know that he was a passionate man and always ready to share his knowledge. In our e-mail exchanges, he always showed generosity and patience and I am greatly grateful to him. The caddisfly world is losing not only one of its greatest experts, but also an ambassador who has sparked the interest of many in a somewhat neglected group of insects. Dave left us too soon. Too bad because he could have helped us to discover so much more. I express my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

… Alain Hogue, 21 February, 2021 - 8:15pm

Dave Ruiter

So this one really hurt. Dave and I corresponded off and on for the last 20 years or so. We exchanged numerous emails discussing caddisfly taxonomy, collecting tricks, etc. We even got to meet for lunch and brews a couple times. Dave helped put together a Trichoptera workshop for the SAFIT group of aquatic invertebrate taxonommists back in 2012 and gave me lots of advice for the SAFIT STE.

When Dave first joined up here at BugGuide, he had a note on his user page that he just was a "caddisfly hobbyist". I had to assure a few folks that he was just being modest. Dave had quite an extensive list of publications and his knowledge of the group wasn't limited to just the North American fauna.

… Brady Richards, 5 February, 2021 - 8:49pm

I am so sorry -

to hear about Dave's passing. I never had the privilege of meeting him, but I sent him a bunch of specimens over the last five years and he was always very generous, helpful and often quite funny when he responsed to my questions and specimen packages. I even still have a few vials of caddis I was saving up to send him. Very sad news indeed.

… Ken Schneider, 16 February, 2021 - 2:51pm

Just saw a note that

Greg Lasley has passed away
facebook

… john and jane balaban, 31 January, 2021 - 11:28am

Memorial journal post on iNaturalist

Greg Lasley was also a major contributor to iNaturalist. The iNat staff posted a memorial blog entry and invited comments. Comments have been added there from all around the globe.

… Chuck Sexton, 8 July, 2021 - 8:32am

Dr. Terry L. Erwin of the Smithsonian Institution

sadly left us way too soon. BugGuiders (myself included) consulted Terry often for his remarkable expertise in beetle identifications. Please read:
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/05/legendary-entomologist-terry-erwin-passes-away-at-age-79/

Here is a sampling of Terry's influence on BugGuide:
https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Terry+Erwin

… Peter W. Messer, 28 May, 2020 - 2:44pm

A memorial issue in tribute to Terry Erwin (1940 - 2020)

with 32 papers is available at https://zookeys.pensoft.net/issue/2942/.

… Peter W. Messer, 16 June, 2021 - 2:54pm

Norman I. Platnick

The most prolific arachnologist of our time, creator of the World Spider Catalog and a friend to BugGuide who generously helped us with IDs over the years.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/norman-i-platnick-memorial-fund

… Laura P., 8 April, 2020 - 9:48am

Glenn Pinsent?

I'm afraid that I know nothing about Glenn Pinsent but I wanted to find out about his expertise and a google search returned the obituary of a man with the same name and location who "... was known as the Moth Man."

… Steve Nanz, 28 February, 2020 - 4:36am

New Brunswick Lepidopterists

In recent years NB has lost 2 lepidopterists:
Glenn Pinsent, Moncton NB
Martin Turgeon, NW NB; Martin's extensive collection was donated to the NB Museum

… A.W. Thomas, 28 February, 2020 - 7:42am

Thank you

Thanks for the confirmation.

I added suggestions to the Editors' Forum here and Web Site Problems and Suggestions forum here on how a contributor's page might be updated after they have passed on.

… Steve Nanz, 28 February, 2020 - 8:19am

Bob Barber

Bob was an avid naturalist who grew up in New Jersey, lived in Florida, returned to NJ and retired in New Mexico. I met him when he lived in Florida in 1977 and reacquainted with him at Cape May, NJ in 1982. Have been friend until his passing this fall.

https://bugguide.net/user/view/20599

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/alamogordonews/obituary.aspx?n=robert-drew-barber&pid=194538229

… Van Truan, 2 January, 2020 - 8:50am

Very sad news

We were heartbroken to hear of Bob Barber's passing. Although we never met in person, Bob willingly and graciously shared many of his outstanding photos for some of our book projects. We can only hope that his fine images of many different species will continue to be part of his legacy and inspire the curiosity and wonder in others.

… Jim Weber, 28 May, 2020 - 11:56am

Michael C. Thomas

An outstanding coleopterist and veteran BugGuide contributor died on October 4, at 71. (Obituary)
He contributed hundreds of photos of rare beetles to BG, and lots of IDs, both directly and offline; his most recent comments date Aug 15, 2019.
We corresponded regularly; his help was something i could always rely upon.
Colleagues around the world use the American Beetles(1)(2); Mike was instrumental in putting together that seminal reference, as well as other major publishing projects, including Insecta Mundi.
A small box of laemophloeid specimens that i've been planning to send to Mike for identification since last spring is sitting on my desk as a painful reminder of this great loss.
"send them whenever you want," he said in one of his last e-mails.

… v belov, 20 October, 2019 - 3:24pm

Oh man..

that one hits hard.

… Blaine Mathison, 24 October, 2019 - 3:18pm

Charles Bordelon (Texas Lepidoptera Survey)

I do not think it has been noted previously, but it appears that at least one talented lepidopterists that comprised Texas Lepidoptera Survey is gone--Charles Bordelon. (The other is Ed Knudson--see the end of this post.)
Obituary for Charles Bordelon here, quoting: 1958 - 2016 Charles William Bordelon, Jr., passed away Sunday, September 25, 2016, at 5:15 a.m. with his wife, Susan Lee; and best friend, Ed Knudson, at his side. He was born on December 15, 1958, in Lafayette, Louisiana.
There is an article about the donation of the Texas Lepidoptera Survey specimens in an article by The Florida Museum:
40 years of friendship, 70,000 specimens: Amateur entomologists donate lifetimes worth of butterflies and moths
Also, in a very fitting tribute, Charles has a moth named after him, Peridea bordeloni.

A friend of mine mentioned that Ed Knudson had passed away as well, but I cannot find any details online. Waiting for confirmation--apologies if this is incorrect.

… Cotinis, 6 October, 2019 - 10:08pm

Ed Knudson

Long-time BugGuide contributor Josh Rose got back to me about Ed, and I subsequently found the information online with his details:
InsectNet Forum (6 December 2018)--RIP Ed Knudson, US Lepidopterist:
Ed Knudson passed away in Falfurrias, Texas, his common stopping point before driving to Alamo, to check into the Alamo Inn, where he and Charles Bordelon, have been staying (and running lights) for years.
This is terribly unfortunate news. A major hit for western lepidopterology. A devastating loss for the study of Texas Lepidoptera. Ed had knowledge of the lep fauna of every part of Texas. There is no living North American worker that approaches him in breadth and experience. I can’t begin to fathom how many new moons it would take to catch up to Ed, if one wanted to get to his level of knowledge.
He may be have been the only member of our Society to have had close interactions and personal anecdotes with this Lonestar Lepidopterological Trinity: Andre Blanchard, Roy Kendall, and Avery Freeman. Ed and I have known each other for more than three decades. His closest surviving colleague is Mike Richard of Mission, Texas.

There is a brief note about his passing in the News of the Lepidopterists Society (spring 2019) as well.

… Cotinis, 6 October, 2019 - 10:26pm

Edna Steward Woodward

'' If tomorrow starts without me and im not here to see, If the sun should rise you find your eyes all filled with tears for me, I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today while thinking of the many things we didnt get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you and each time you think of me, I know you will miss me too. When tomorrow starts without me please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand. He said my place was ready, in Heaven far above and that i'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love. As I turned and walked away a tear fell from my eye. For all my life I had always thought, I didnt want to die. I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do. I thought of all the yesterdays the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love I felt and all the fun I’d had. When i thought of worldly things I might miss come tomorrow, for a moment my heart was filled with sorrow then I walked through Heavens gates and I felt so much at home. God looked down and smiled at me from his great golden throne he said, "this is eternity and all I've promised you your life on earth has passed but here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow but today will always last and since each day is the same there's no longing for the past. You have been faithful trusting and true. though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldnt do. You have been forgiven and now at last you are free. So when tomorrow starts without me dont think were far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right close in your heart."
Edna Steward Woodward passed away July 12th 2019 at her lifelong home and family farm a short time after her health took a turn for the worst. Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers and love, her online friends/family were sure to have been her strength and motivation and peace more often than not, as its no secret she spent many many hours in front of her computer. If you happen to see a moth fly by or perhaps even a beetle or spider, think of her and you'll be sure to smile!!
RIP Eddie

… Lynette Elliott, 19 July, 2019 - 8:43am

A heavy heart ...

Lynette, your news comes with a heavy heart. I knew Shotgun Eddie quite well. We've spent many a late night on messenger and the phone, chatting about bugs, forest fires, and stupid people. She was an absolute delight with a wicked sense of humor. Last time we talked, she wanted me to come out and stay a while. I so loved her. Your comments so beautifully describes Edna.
May flights of angels sing her to her rest.
Robert

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 7 October, 2019 - 4:51pm

I didn't know Edna ...

but was touched to find this comment further down on this page:

"excellent and we should all let our family and friends know to let bugguide know. even tho we may never meet I would mourn the passing of many people on here.
… Edna Woodward, 1 September, 2013 - 12:55pm "

I'm sure she would have appreciated your kind words. I'm sorry for your loss.

… Laura P., 28 July, 2019 - 11:02am

Rowland Shelley

I discovered in a round-about way that Rowland passed yesterday, 11/11/18. I'll miss him.

The only item that came up so far is this, just basic info:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/cary-nc/rowland-shelley-8050796

And I think it would be nice to have a separate forum.

… Debbi Brusco, 12 November, 2018 - 2:59am

A great loss.

Dr. Shelley's expertise with millipedes and centipedes, both rather neglected groups with few living experts, was invaluable here on BugGuide. His identifications were very precise, often including the taxon authority and year (just in case there was any confusion!). His annotated checklists to the millipede faunas of Florida, California, North Carolina, and Eastern and Central Canada substantially helped clarify the geographic range of these often short-ranging invertebrates, (especially useful when trying to ID photographs with only a location, when diagnostic body parts cannot be observed). His impressive publication record (I think the grand total will be over 300 papers) both described numerous new species and refined previous taxonomy with familial and generic revisions that will set the stage for future generations of myriapodologists. I wish I could have met him.

… Sam McNally, 4 December, 2018 - 4:19pm

We lost a great expert

Very sad. I hope his wonderful page will be kept for a long time ...
The Myriapoda (Millipedes, Centipedes) Featuring the North American Fauna

… Iustin Cret, 12 November, 2018 - 10:38am

So sad

Thanks for letting us know.

… Lynette Elliott, 12 November, 2018 - 6:24am

RIP...

So sad to hear this. :(

… Hisserdude, 16 November, 2018 - 10:06pm

Jo Ann Poe-McGavin

passed away on Jan 24 2015. I have been wondering why I haven't seen any new photos from her on Bugguide :( She contributed quite a few Vespid records (among many other insects) from Jim Thorpe, PA.

… Vespula Vulgaris, 21 September, 2018 - 6:46pm

John Glaser

Known on this site by his initials "JDG", passed away in early 2016.

Here is a short obituary from the Maryland Entomological Society:

The MES sadly reports on the recent passing of Dr. John Glaser.
He was in his 80’s. In his younger days he had a career with the
Geological Survey of Maryland. After retiring from that, he
pursued his avid interest in entomology. He was a longtime
member of the MES. He was very much interested in beetles,
and as such he was an expert on tiger beetles. He developed an
expertise in the snail-eating ground beetles in the genus
Scaphinotus. Another great interest of his, which was developed
later, was in moths in general. He had collaborated with Dr.
Douglas Ferguson of the Smithsonian Institution in working on
the moths of Maryland. However, this work was never
completed; rather, he contributed greatly to Larry Line’s Moths
of Maryland website and to Bob Patterson’s Moth
Photographers Group website.
He helped various members of the MES with identifications,
being very generous with his time. Also, much of his collection
has been donated to various museums, including the
Smithsonian, and more will be donated. He also has valuable
books on entomology, which will be donated to one or more
scientific establishments.
He will be missed at the MES and will be well remembered.

… Curt Harden, 10 December, 2017 - 5:35pm