Dr. Harold Abraham Dundee

1924 - 2018

Dr. Harold Abraham Dundee, noted academic and scholar, was born in Tulsa, OK on August 23 1924. He died in Metairie, LA on August 9, 2018. He was preceded in death by his wife Dee Saunders Dundee, a professor at LSU. Prior to his life in academia, Harold served his country in the Medical Corp and as a Japanese translator in the intelligence branch of the U.S. Army. Harold loved nature. He dedicated his life to the study of amphibians and reptiles. He received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Oklahoma, his Masters Degree from the University of Kansas and his PhD from the University of Michigan. He retired as Emeritus Professor of Biology from Tulane University in 1988 where he taught courses in zoology for 30 years. He also served as curator of the amphibian and reptile division of the Tulane Museum of Natural History. As many pre-med students will attest, Dr. Dundee was one of the toughest professors they ever had. It was well known that in any class, he issued only a single "A" grade. During his tenure as professor, Dr. Dundee co-authored a text on the amphibians and reptiles of Louisiana. The book is still in use today at universities across the country. In addition, he published over 140 technical articles on the subject of amphibians, reptiles and salamanders. Dr. Dundee received many honors during his long life. He was a Fellow of the Herpetologists' League. He won the Louisiana Library Association's award for best book on Louisiana. He received research grants from the National Institutes of Health, the American Philosophical Society and the Louisiana Research Foundation. In addition to his life in academia, Dr. Dundee was an avid tennis player. He was a member of the City Park Tennis Club where he won numerous tournaments. He is survived by his niece and nephew, Robyn Dombkowski and Gary Dundee. To honor his wishes there will be no funeral services. Donations in memory of Dr. Harold Dundee can be made to the Nature Conservancy.