I got word today that Clark Hubbs, one of the legends of freshwater fishes in the US, and especially Texas, died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. I consider myself lucky to have had the honor of working with him a few times in the last few years of his life. If you don't know the Hubbs legacy, google Clark or his dad, Carl, and edumacate yourself on some hardcore ichthyologists. I cut my teeth on the Hubbs key of Texas fishes, as all ichthyology students worth their salt in Texas have for ages. Alright, enough of that... here's the obituary from the 2/4/08 Austin American Statesman
Clark Hubbs Clark Hubbs left this world on February 3, 2008, following a lengthy battle with colorectal cancer. He was born March 15, 1921, and was the second child of noted naturalists, Carl and Laura Hubbs. He developed a love for the science of studying fish at an early age. His parents paid Clark and his sister and brother five dollars for collecting a new genus one one dollar for collecting a new species. They also paid them five cents for each species collected. Not surprisingly, Clark became an ichthyologist, a scientist who studied fish and truly loved his chosen profession. During World War II he served in the army in the 96th Infantry Division Headquarters, including the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa. After the war, he obtained his Ph.D. from Stanford in 1951 under the GI bill. He met his wife of 58 years, Catherine, while on a field trip with the Stanford Natural History Club. In 1951, Clark Hubbs became an assistant professor of zoology at the University of Texas and subsequently became an associate and then full professor. From 1974 to 1976, he was chairman of the Biology Department and from 1978 to 1986, he was chairman of the Zoology Department. He was professor emeritus at the time of his death. During his long career, he published more than 300 articles. He was still collecting field data for his studies in January 2008. He was editor of Copeia , the journal of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpitologists for more than a decade and a former president of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpitologists, the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists, the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Texas Emeritus Science Committee Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. He was a tireless supporter of the Edwards Aquifor and Defense of Endangered Species. Four different species were named after him. Clark Hubbs was preceded in death by his mother, father, and two sisters, Marjorie Anne Hubbs and Frances Miller. He is survived by his wife, Catherine; his brother, Earl; daughters, Laura Hubbs-Tait and Ann Hubbs; son, John Hubbs; and four grandchildren, Aaron and Aiden Tait, Eric Hubbs, and Adam Weissman; as well as hundreds of students, colleagues and friends. In lieu, the family suggests donations to the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (www. HSWRI.org) or a charity of your choice. Memorial services will be held at the Congregational Church at at a scientific meeting. Dates to be arranged in the future.. http://www.HSWRI.org
Clark Hubbs Clark Hubbs left this world on February 3, 2008, following a lengthy battle with colorectal cancer. He was born March 15, 1921, and was the second child of noted naturalists, Carl and Laura Hubbs. He developed a love for the science of studying fish at an early age. His parents paid Clark and his sister and brother five dollars for collecting a new genus one one dollar for collecting a new species. They also paid them five cents for each species collected. Not surprisingly, Clark became an ichthyologist, a scientist who studied fish and truly loved his chosen profession. During World War II he served in the army in the 96th Infantry Division Headquarters, including the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa. After the war, he obtained his Ph.D. from Stanford in 1951 under the GI bill. He met his wife of 58 years, Catherine, while on a field trip with the Stanford Natural History Club. In 1951, Clark Hubbs became an assistant professor of zoology at the University of Texas and subsequently became an associate and then full professor. From 1974 to 1976, he was chairman of the Biology Department and from 1978 to 1986, he was chairman of the Zoology Department. He was professor emeritus at the time of his death. During his long career, he published more than 300 articles. He was still collecting field data for his studies in January 2008. He was editor of Copeia , the journal of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpitologists for more than a decade and a former president of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpitologists, the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists, the Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Texas Emeritus Science Committee Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. He was a tireless supporter of the Edwards Aquifor and Defense of Endangered Species. Four different species were named after him. Clark Hubbs was preceded in death by his mother, father, and two sisters, Marjorie Anne Hubbs and Frances Miller. He is survived by his wife, Catherine; his brother, Earl; daughters, Laura Hubbs-Tait and Ann Hubbs; son, John Hubbs; and four grandchildren, Aaron and Aiden Tait, Eric Hubbs, and Adam Weissman; as well as hundreds of students, colleagues and friends. In lieu, the family suggests donations to the Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute (www. HSWRI.org) or a charity of your choice. Memorial services will be held at the Congregational Church at at a scientific meeting. Dates to be arranged in the future.. http://www.HSWRI.org
