In Memoriam: Donald Wakeham Lamm, 1914-1996

Abstract

Donald W. Lamm was born 14 September 1914 in Washington, D.C., and died 2 December 1996 in Tucson, Arizona, after a long illness. Donald joined the AOU in 1941 and became an Elective Member in 1977. He developed a lifelong interest in birds at an early age when he came under the influence of Alexander Wetmore, specifically using Wetmore's method of keeping field notes and collecting specimens. Donald was a career diplomat in the U.S. State Department until his retirement in 1964, when he settled in Tucson. He spent nearly his entire service abroad, choosing assignments to further his interest in ornithology. Postings included Japan (1936 to 1942; he was interned in Japan at the beginning of the war), Receife, Brazil (1943 to 1947), Australia (1947 to 1949, 1960 to 1964), Mozambique (1950 to 1952), and Ghana (1955 to 1957). He traveled abroad extensively, always with the purpose of observing birds. His adventures resulted in several papers on the distribution, abundance, and natural history of birds of Brazil, Ghana, Mozambique, Australia, Mexico, and Columbia, which were published in Auk, Emu, Ostrich, and Condor. Of particular interest are Contribution to the Study of the Ornithology of Sul do Save (Mozambique) with A.A. da Rosa Pinto (1953-1960, Parts I-IV, Memorias do Museu Dr. Alvaro de Castro) and Notes on the Birds of the States of Pernambuco and Paraiba, Brazil (Auk 65:261-283). In effect, he spent a lifetime carefully documenting avian diversity. During his retired years he remained active in the field. He participated in the banding study, initiated by Charles E. Cochran and with Phillip M. Walters, at the private Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, Tucson, for 23 years. He worked with Stephen M. Russell in Sonora, Mexico, for more than 20 years and continued to travel and work abroad (e.g. Colombia). Donald was a welcome and valued member of the Advanced Ornithology classes at the University of Arizona and always an eager participant in field trips. He maintained his detailed field notes until only recently, arising nearly every day at 0500 to write. Donald is survived by his son, Peter; two daughters, Judy and Susan; 10 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. His memories and example are with all of us who spent time with him in the field birding and around the campfire.