Raphael D Sagarin

1971 - 2015 Raphael (Rafe) D. Sagarin (June 20 1971-May 28 2015) died in Tucson AZ last week. Rafe was a marine ecologist at the Institute of the Environment, University of Arizona and Biosphere 2. He graduated from Stanford University and earned his PhD at the University of California Santa Barbara. Rafe taught at UCLA, Duke University and the University of Arizona, where he led the Ocean project at Biosphere 2. Rafe was also the author of articles and books on evolutionary biology and the impact of climate change on marine species, and he is best known for his work on applying the lessons of evolutionary adaptation to national security and peace and conflict issues. He was a popular instructor, an integrative thinker in diverse disciplines, and a frequent speaker at think tanks, corporations, government agencies and universities. An avid artist, runner and cyclist, Rafe's creative energies and passion for the natural world touched countless lives. He died after being struck by a pick-up truck while riding his bike near his beloved Biosphere 2.

Rafe Sagarin is survived by his wife Rebecca Masten Crocker; daughters Ella (14) and Rosa (12) Sagarin; his parents Mary and Daniel Sagarin; his brothers Josh and Mark Sagarin; his parents-in-law Saône and Chester Crocker; sisters- and brothers-in-law Margaret Sagarin, Heather Webb, Sheba Crocker, Rennie and Kai Anderson, and Milan Vaishnav; and 11 nieces and nephews. Rafe was devoted to and much loved by his family, and his loss leaves a hole in their lives and those of his many friends around the globe.

Contributions in Rafe's memory can be sent to CEDO (Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans) at http://www.cedointercultural.org/co

ntent/view/61/1/lang,en/) where Rafe served as board member of this organization committed to "empower coastal communities in the Northern Gulf of California region with the knowledge and tools to create sustainable livelihoods that exist in concert with the surrounding natural and multicultural environment". Rafe was also passionate about the importance of standing with the returning wounded veterans of our armed services and their families who have sacrificed so much for their country. A suggested charity is Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust at http://cst.dav.org/

Memorial information will be posted on Rafe Sagarin's Facebook page.