In Memoriam: Frederick M. Baumgartner, 1910-1996

Abstract

Frederick Milton Baumgartner was born 5 June 1910 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Milton D. and Sarah Hill Baumgartner. At an early age he was introduced to the study of birds by an uncle, Frederick R. Hill, who (in Fred's words) knew his birds pretty well and had an extensive bird egg collection. This sparked an interest that was recognized by Miss McClellan, his biology teacher at Shortridge High, who encouraged him to plan to study under Dr. Allen at Cornell. Fred was a graduate of Butler University (1931), the University of Kansas (M.A. in 1933 under Henry L. Lane), and earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1937 under Arthur A. Allen. He was State Ornithologist with the Michigan Conservation Department, 1936 to 1939. At AM osteology of owls; courtship, nesting, territory, and populations of the Great Horned Owl; grouse in New York and Michigan; bobwhites in Oklahoma; and birds of prey in Michigan and Oklahoma. Other areas of research included ecology of farm ponds and control of pest birds. His teaching emphasized ecological principles, always enhanced with practical field applications and experiences. He and his wife, Marguerite wrote Bird Life, published by University of Press in 1992, which they considered to be . not only for but by the people of Oklahoma and added, We hope the more serious student will also find a challenge to further research. The latter, a standard of his teaching philosophy, instilled in many of us the drive to keep seeking answers and questions from nature. A member of the AOU since 1930, he became an Elective Member in 1953. He was Southern Great Plains regional editor for Audubon Field Notes from 1949 to August 1965, local chairman for the Wilson Ornithological Society meeting in 1955, and a charter member and past president of the Ornithological Society. An active supporter of the Academy of Sciences for 25 years, he led bird field trips for spring field meetings and introduced many undergraduates and graduate students to research paper presentation and publication through the Academy. He was a long-time Boy Scout leader, YMCA Board of Directors member, and a founding member of the Stillwater (Oklahoma) Unitarian Church Fellowship. He and Marguerite were mainstays in the Payne County Audubon Society for many years. Upon retirement, the two of them established the Little Lewis Whirlwind Nature School and Sanctuary near Jay, Oklahoma, where they continued to instill the appreciation of our natural heritage to hundreds. Fred died in Athens, Georgia, on 24 August 1996. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, A. Marguerite Heydweiller Baumgartner (Ph.D., Cornell), and by four children and their families: Theodore of Athens, Georgia; William of Ridgefield, Washington; Karl of Richmond, Texas; and Barbara McAlpine of Dexter, Michigan.