Gail Elaine Wagner

I was sad to hear about Gail´s passing. We met at Miami University, where we were both active in the German Club, and we took a trip to Europe together in 1973. We lost touch after graduation, but I am happy to see from her bio that the Gail I remember - lots of fun, passionate about archeology, talented at the viola - went on to accomplish so much. The fact that I remember her so well from 50 years ago is a real testament to her kind and engaging personality. Here are a few photos from our...

I first met Gail in 1990 when I made a trip to New South Associates SC office. From that first meeting sprang a professional friendship of nearly 35 years. I knew Gail as a dear friend and colleague for 35 years. With our mutual paleoethnobotanist friend Mary Theresa Freund, we were `hang out buddies´ at innumerable Southeastern Archaeological Conferences, botanizing, laughing, shopping, and wine tasting. I will sorely miss her spunk, drive, kindness, and passion. I last visited with...

Gail was a really tough caver. Here we are in 1979 after a 24 hour trip into Proctor Cave and down to Hawkins and Logsdon Rivers. One time we were mapping in breakdown mess called The Corkscrew. Gail tried so hard to squeeze through an opening that she spread her pelvis! That had to hurt but she didn't show it She also had a great sense of humor and would do almost anything for a laugh! She is sorely missed.

Gail was a delightful presence in this world, and one of her fun projects arose from her constant curiosity as she asked many, including children, is this a fruit or a vegetable? She will be so much missed by many of us in the world with two feet, four feet, and even roots and leaves.

Gail and I met in 1975 and my life in science really took off from there. I admired her so much and learned from her about how to be generous and curious. When I went to field school at the University of New Mexico in 1976, she drove me to the airport in her little orange car (which she forced me to learn to drive since she said every archaeologist needed to drive stick). She pressed upon me in the airport a fresh banana bread which sustained me for the first three days in Albuquerque until I...