Charles J. "Jerry" Flora

Lately I've been reading a lot, fiction and other things lately, working my way through several books from John Steinbeck, 'Cannery row, 'Grapes of Rath' , 'Long Valley' etc., and now
"The Log of the Sea of Cortez".
Can't recommend it enough to feel those passions from a scientist, biologist and humanitarian
Interesting to find myself reading along with the best collectors of marine science in the Baha, and basking in the memories of an other Giant,
...

One additional tidbit only a Flora field trip nerd would remember;
The good doc drilled us not only with the species list, ( 22 including ) on an average hunt but we had to memorize the longest specific epitaph, anyone ???

{ strongliocentrosus drobachyensus } !

Who else could get 25 biology students bucket stomping up to their waist in ocean water going, "Dr.Flora What's this ...?!

P.s.
I want to go back to Washington,

Ah, Dr. Flora,
'We knew ye well'.. ,
I was hijacked to assist in the fund raising for the Hawaii trip 'umm, those many years ago.
The Doc decided I was a 'senior' student and tasked me with the notion of organizing the banquet for funds for the trip. Students went out with instructions to beg, borrow or acquire seafood!?
Students came back with 30 lbs. of fresh sockeye salmon, (donated) another kid comes back with a burlap sack of oysters, ( donated ) another kid...

Thank you Sir Jerry Flora for being one of our teacher at Saint Joseph, Tabwiroa (Kiribati) your presence with us means a lot to us (form 5 science). God bless you

I am incredibly thankful to have met Dr Flora as a Fairhaven student. Fieldtrip studies with him were inspiring and led to helping me shape a career in environmental education.
I loved that he did not rattle off all the names of species, but rather helped us learn the process of identifying species.
My love for and understanding of our beautiful PNW environments are gifts from having known such a spirited and inspiring teacher. I will continue to support the Environmental Ed...

I spent several years with Jerry as a youthful administrator during his time as president. We traveled together throughout the state, carrying a message about the importance of the higher learning. He taught me much then by demanding that I expand my vision of the university and what it could achieve. I do not have words to express my admiration for him as a mentor and a person. I regret that I will not be able to attend the Jero celebration. There will be many great stories to share.

Dr. Flora was my faculty advisor when I entered Western as a Freshman in 1958. What a wonderful experience having him as a teacher. He inspired me in my subsequent career teaching Biology students in secondary schools. After doing graduate work in, and practicing as a Psychologist then Counsellor, before retiring I returned to my love of teaching Biology and served as the Science Dept. Head at a large school on Vancouver Island (B.C.) Never forgetting his enthusiasm, I tried to model...

Maybe Jerry never knew that because of his 9 week Pacific Reefs course in the mid-1990's I pursued a career in marine biology and have become a professor studying coral reefs at the University of the Virgin Islands. I wrote by email about 8 years ago, with no response and someone told me they thought he had passed a few years ago, so I never tried to reconnect : ( I wish I had been more persistent! Thanks Jerry! R.I.P.