Dr. Victor B. Scheffer

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University of Washington

Victor Scheffer Obituary

Dr. Victor B. Scheffer passed away on September 20, 2011 at age 104. During his life many were honored to be touched by him as brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, scientist, scholar, writer, and friend. He loved the outdoors and was a co-founder of the Nature Conservancy's Washington chapter, Audubon Society, and the Hilltop Community in Bellevue. Vic was a marine biologist who received his PhD from the University of Washington, taught there in the 1960s, and received the U of W's Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus award. He is the author of 14 books, including The Year of the Whale which received the John Burrough's Medal for best natural history book in 1969. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Steiniche, his children, Brian Scheffer, Susan Irvine, and Ann Carlstrom, 8 grandchildren,and 5 great-grandchildren.A Celebration of his Life will be held on November 12 at 2:00 at University House in Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org/washington or the Audubon Society at http://wa.audubon.org/.

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Published by The Seattle Times on Oct. 2, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Victor Scheffer

6 Entries

Nina Morzenti

April 13, 2012

In 2003 I was in the 5th of 8 years caring for my 93 yr old mother Beatrice, in Burlington,MA. Northeastern University's satellite location was a mile away. The small Library had a cart that was daily replenished with books for the taking. Dr Scheffer's Year of the Seal,1970 caught my eye as a book mother would enjoy hearing me read to her. I read it 4 times and taped it for an elderly cousin, also 94. How fortunate to have had a man of his inspiration with us for so long, touching so many lives of all ages. As I pulled Seals from my Library Shelf today in Alcova,Wy I was again sharing mother's enjoyment of nature,animals,flowers, ocean shores. Curious about the author I googled Dr Scheffer and will look for more of his writings to file with Seals.

Daisy Arredondo Rucinski

March 19, 2012

I was greatly saddened to read of Dr. Scheffer's passing in this issue of the UW Alumni Magazine. I first met Dr. Scheffer in the 1970s as I was completing my master's degree in biology at the University of Washington. Over the years, I ran into him occasionally when I visited the Puget Sound area. He was an exciting professor and taught me a great deal about the natural history of vertebrates -- those on both land and sea. I bought his books and read them to my children and told them stories that Dr. Scheffer told us while we camped on field trips in the Cascade hills. He was an excellent biologist and a wonderful teacher. I used to say that he was one of the first scientists I met who was truly excited about science. I don't know that anyone could tell more interesting stories about the animals we saw in the hills, the desert, and at the water's edge. I learned from him, admired him, and was inspired by him. If just one of my students is inspired by my teaching and my work as I was by his, I will have had a wonderful impact as a professor. I am fortunate to have known Dr. Scheffer and I hope that his family knows the magnificent impact he had on many of his students. I am sad that he is now gone. I will send a contribution to the suggested group of Naturalists. From Daisy Arredondo Rucinski, BA (1970), MAT (1972), and Ph.D.(1983) -- University of WA, now Professor, College of Education, The University of Alabama.

Fred Felleman

October 11, 2011

Scheffer and Slipp 1948 is the first best account of marine mammals in Puget Sound. Interestingly, the harbor porpoise which was most abundant at that time is no longer found here with any regularity. It was through this type of information that I became familiar with Dr. Scheffer. My fondness only grew from there as I saw him at various conferences and gathering remaining sharp as a tack. Then just as I thought I had reason enough for him to be a personal hero of mine, I saw a slide show he did on patterns in nature which just blew my socks off. Talk about a Renaissance Man!!! Us mere mortals can only hope to accomplish a fraction of what he has done regardless of how long we live.

October 5, 2011

I was fortunate enough to have met Dr. Scheffer on a couple of occasions in the early 90s while I was on the board the the Puget Sound/Pacific Northwest chapter of the American Cetacean Society. I was tickled to at least briefly be in the presence of such an influential & important researcher. --Jeff Rothal, Pacific Grove, CA

Uko Gorter

October 3, 2011

Dr. Scheffer has influenced and inspired countless marine mammal researchers and budding naturalists. We celebrate his life.

Uko Gorter,
On behalf of the American Cetacean Society (Puget Sound Chapter)

Jerry Joyce

October 2, 2011

A man who inspired so many of us both as a marine biologist and as member of society. I knew him from the days of forming the Society of Marine Mammalogy and from his involvement with Seattle Audubon. I am proud to have offered his name as the winner of the Science Award at Seattle Audubon. We need more people like Vic in our science and out society.

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