Resolution of Respect

ment, the legislature of Washington Cook, R. E. 1977. Raymond Edmondson, W. T. 1991. The uses of State passed a special resolution rec- Lindeman and the trophic–dynam- ecology: Lake Washington and ognizing his contributions to the pub- ics concept in ecology. Science beyond. University of Washington lic welfare. Not adequately covered 198:22–26. Press, Seattle, Washington, USA. by these accolades is the depth of Edmondson, W. T. 1944. Ecological Lampert, W., and U. Sommer. 1997. the friendships that Tommy built studies of sessile Rotatoria: II. Limnoecology. Oxford University with his colleagues and students. His Dynamics of populations and so- Press, New York, New York, enthusiasm for the sciences of ecol- cial structures. Ecological Mono- USA. ogy and limnology was genuinely un- graphs 15:141–172. Lehman, J. T. 1988. Good Professor bounded, as was his delight in new Edmondson, W. T. 1960. Reproduc- Edmondson. Limnology and ideas, revealing data, and the interest- tive rate of rotifers in natural Oceanography 33:1234–1244. ing people who generate them. populations. Memorie dell’Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia 12:21–77. A complete list of W. T. Literature cited Edmondson, W. T. 1968. A graphical Edmondson’s publications through model for evaluating the use of 1988 is given by Lehman 1988. More Beckel, A. L. 1987. Breaking new the egg ratio for measuring birth recent works can be found by searching waters: a century of limnology at and death rates. Oecologia 1:1– standard website databases. the University of Wisconsin. 37. Transactions of the Wisconsin Edmondson, W. T. 1989. Rotifer study Nelson G. Hairston, Jr. Academy of Sciences, Arts and as a way of life. Hydrobiologia Cornell University Letters, Special Issue. 186/187:1–9. Ithaca, NY 14853 Resolution of Respect Alton A. Lindsey How do you find words to pay (at least 4 feet dbh) that had been tribute to a life that spanned more toppled in a spring windstorm just l907– 1999 than nine decades, whose “home weeks earlier, creating as it fell, a range” encompassed continents, that huge light gap once filled by the tree possessed unbounded intellectual crown, and uplifting a massive root interests, whose scientific contribu wad and tip-up mound of soil. Dr. tions were exemplary, and to whom Lindsey surveyed the great fallen recognitions came in abundance? trunk that he had often measured The very thought is daunting because and admired, and remarked, some Dr. Alton Anthony Lindsey was an what wistfully, “Well, we all have to amazing person who lived a remark go sometime.” Now, nearly 40 years able life. later, another forest giant has fallen, Al Lindsey, as he preferred to be one of the last of his generation of known to friends and colleagues, died ecological giants. The knowledge gap at the age of 92 at his home in Tulsa, that was created by his passing will Oklahoma, shortly after midnight on be exceedingly difficult to fill. December 19, 1999. Elizabeth, his Alton A. Lindsey was born in devoted wife of over 60 years, and their the village of Monaca, Pennsylvania, daughter Louise were present as he on May 7, 1907, the eldest child and embarked on his final “expedition.” only son of the Rev. Earl C. Lindsey, In late April 1960, during Dr. a Methodist minister, and Lois Lindsey’s plant ecology field trip to Haughton Whitmarsh Lindsey. He one of the best remaining old-growth spent much of his boyhood devoted forests in southern Indiana, we came to nature study in the mountains and upon an enormous white ash tree along the streams of Western Penn- 182 Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America sylvania, in Boy Scout activities, and of Science (1950–1953). A1 Lindsey or, as far as I know, even typewriters learning to be a skilled taxidermist. was the consummate editor, assisting for his own personal use, typically In l925, he graduated from Allegheny literally hundreds of authors in pub Al would handwrite his manuscripts High School in Pittsburgh, and en lishing their research findings with (usually with a stubby little pencil), tered Allegheny College, Meadville, clarity and precision. Ever compas then have the office staff type his Pennsylvania, that fall. At Allegheny sionate and patient, especially with draft copy. He would then make a College he met Paul Siple, the scien young scientists struggling to become few minor changes or corrections to tist who subsequently developed the published, he spent thousands of hours the typescript and mail the manu well-known Wind Chill Index, while correcting inaccuracies and suggest script to the appropriate editor for he and Lindsey served on the Admiral ing improvements in content and flow, publication. Most of his manuscripts Byrd Antarctic Expedition II (BAE 1I). always without ridicule or acrimony. were accepted on first submission, Siple and Lindsey were life-long His own writings, both scientific subject to only minor revision. His friends; both were Eagle Scouts. and popular, are noteworthy among secret and gift? He first carefully Al Lindsey’s graduate work at his wide readership for their economy “wrote” everything in his mind be Cornell University, in Ithaca, New of wording, yet wonderfully informa fore putting pencil to paper, where York, was interrupted by BAE II, tive and entertaining content. He had upon, writing the draft was relatively but he returned to finish his Ph.D. the great gift of making ecology and straightforward. in botany and ornithology in 1937, natural history not only intellectually Al Lindsey actively corresponded, with Dr. Arthur Eames and Dr. A. A. enlightening, but also exciting to his usually in longhand, with a host of Allen as mentors. His graduate re readers. Naturalist on Watch, his friends and colleagues throughout his search at Cornell centered on the memoirs published in 1983, which in professional life. Prompt responses floral anatomy of the Gentianaceae cludes 41 essays on his lifetime expe were his trademark, even in advanced and Menyanthaceae, with a minor riences, plus some literary sketches of age. Among my most treasured keep study on the food habits of starlings famous naturalists of years past, is a sakes are his cheerful, informative in New York State. Post-doctoral model of insightful natural history letters, especially those written dur education included the first NSF writing. Dr. Louis Sherman, current ing his last weeks, while in failing Tropical Ecology Institute in Costa Chair of Purdue’s Biological Sci health. Ever the scientist, in his last Rica (1961), and the first Radiation ences Department, stated last October lengthy letter to me, he critiqued the Ecology Institute at the Oak Ridge (1999) at the dedication ceremony of evolution–creation debate, validating National Laboratory (1962). the Lindsey Field Laboratory at Darwin’s position by reflecting on his After completing his doctorate, Purdue’s Ross Reserve field station, personal remembrances of the John Al Lindsey held faculty appoint that, “Every time I read an essay in Scopes trial in the 1920s. ments at American University, Wash that little book, I learn something new Early in the 20th century, Dr. ington, D.C. (1937–1940); University and wonderful about ecology.” Charles E. Bessey, botanist at the of Redlands, California (1940–1942); Al Lindsey’s somewhat stern de University of Nebraska, would chal and the University of New Mexico meanor sometimes belied his whole lenge his students, “To keep their (1942–1947), before coming to Purdue some sense of humor and his love of minds in meristematic condition.” I University in 1947. He taught, di clever expression. He had a whimsi am unsure whether Al Lindsey was rected graduate students, and did re cal side that only those closest to him aware of the Besseyan admonition, search in Plant Ecology at Purdue knew and understood. Puns, witti but he surely followed it throughout for 27 years, retiring in 1973 at age cisms, epigrams, rhymes, poetry, and his life. Few scientists have experi 66 to become Professor Emeritus. prose flowed from his well-stocked enced greater longevity in scholarly “Few investigators, past or present, mind like a spring freshet when he activity. have achieved excellence in such var was in a jovial, even playful mood. In fact, Lindsey’s writing career ied aspects of ecology,” the Ecologi He particularly loved word reversals. spanned nearly 80 years, from his cal Society of America stated, in One time we were discussing that first publication in the Pittsburgh naming him Eminent Ecologist for some political scoundrel had finally Chronicle-Telegraph at age 13, until 1976. Lindsey also served the Eco got his come-uppance, when Lindsey he authored a paper in which he clari logical Society as Editor of Ecology blithely said, “Oh well, time wounds fied Admiral Byrd’s role as a polar for five years (1956–1961), then as all heels!” His two light-hearted explorer in Inside Byrd’s Second Ant Managing Editor of all ESA publica books, Limericks for Land Lovers and arctic Expedition, a 24-page manu tions from 1971 to 1973, the latter as Eco-logic and Eco-laughs, both pub script produced in 1997, at age 90. In the Ecological Society’s first paid lished under his pseudonym, Windan all, Dr. Lindsey authored 10 books employee. He also was editor of the Waters, are filled with literary gems, (and completed a manuscript for the Plant Ecology Section of Biological each containing ecological wisdom. llth), more than 70 technical papers, Abstracts for many years (1953– Both are a joy to read. including two monographs, and about 1970), and edited four volumes of the Eschewing such modern devices 20 magazine articles on conservation Proceedings of the Indiana Academy as word processors and computers, and natural history.

Load more