Frank Golley

Thank you again, dear Frank, for so much over the years. Bright, searching, inspiring, sincere, kind & generous friend, teacher & mentor. Exemplary. Seeking other’s good first. Reverencing, protecting, promoting & enriching life. Your good words & deeds live on here, through others’ thoughts, words & deeds. You know. I am eternally thankful for your being & doing. Many others know. Best wishes & prayers for you & for your family & friends. Pax tecvm, +r

I never knew Dr. Golley personally, only his work which was substantial and so influential. His book, "A History of the Ecosystem Concept" is one of my favorites: it inspired me to press on in my field of ecosystem ecology. I wish I could have had a conversation with Dr. Golley, he implanted so many ecological ideas within me.

I had one extended and memorable conversation with Frank Golley about 15 years ago. His influence on our field is enormous and his advice to me was inspiring. How could one person contribute so much? Thank you Frank.

Dear Priscilla,

The privilege I enjoyed of Frank Golley as my Ph.D. advisor in Ecology was not a rare one. Frank was willing to engage many of us with his erudition, zest for learning, and friendship.
However, much that has been good and meaningful in my professional life developed because of my association with Frank Golley. So I hold the memory of him as a rare personal treasure.
Sent with deepest sympathy and condolences,

Dr. Golley, you were a huge influence on me when I was a graduate student. You were a good mentor and am grateful to have been when of your students

Frank’s impact on ecology was exceptional. He was a great mentor and friend to students, including those of the NASA-MSU Professional Enhancement Awards Program. The last time I saw him was at a symposium organized by the students of the Institute of Ecology at UGA in 2003 and he was there to judge students’ presentations. I still remember his warm smiles. He did so much to others and will be deeply missed.

I arrived in Athens for a semester of electives in spring 2000 before I'd enter MLA in the fall, lucky enough for a class with Dr. Golley. I use his writings and what I learned then as I teach today, but what I treasure most is the complete encouragement and interaction he gave, for ideas, advocacy, holistic sense of work. I love that he came to dinner with a couple of students when I knew nobody. I miss very much the knowledge that his advice is a phone call or email away.

As we remember Frank Golley, let's remember what he loved. Our best tribute to him is to do what we can to care for the ecosystem he taught us so much about. We all have a part to play in confronting the ecological crisis that is at hand.

We miss you so much, dear friend.