PAUL RISSER

I will greatly miss this good man. I knew him while he directed the Illinois Natural History Survey. He brought new ideas and new management techniques that modernized this revered institution. His ecological knowledge and wisdom was profound.

I was sorry to lose Dr. Risser from Oregon State University in 2002. I had the opportunity to meet him at some alumni gatherings. He was very attentive and cordial to us. He treated my husband and I with grace. Dr. Risser made us feel appreciated even though we are not huge donors. May God be with his family.

He was my PhD advisor at OU. I admired him tremendously. A kind, gentle, pleasant, charming, humorous and brilliant individual. His contributions to ecology and academic administration are enormous and long lasting.

When Dr. Risser was President of Oregon State University, I was privileged to have spoken with him on occasion when, as an interested citizen, I followed work of the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.

He was truly a leader, at OSBHE meetings as well as on campus. He did much to invigorate a greater sense of fair play within Oregon's educational community. At a time when it was sorely needed.

His wife, Les, equally influenced educational issues in our state, including...

I had the privilege and pleasure of working with Paul during my tenure as editor of The Southwestern Naturalist and during my term as president of SWAN. My condolences to his family

To the Risser family;

It was my great pleasure to have been at Oregon State during Paul's tenure. He was a valued leader and was very pleasant to staff. He was a good friend to those of us in Career Services.

Paul was my friend. Although for the last few years we didn't see each other as we did when arrived back to his home state. Whenever we had the opportunity to visit it was seamless from the previous visit.
I will miss my friend....
Rest in Peace Paul.

To the Risser family I offer my deepest sympathy and prayers. I believe I was Dr. Risser's first doctorate student...and now and since, he always was an inspiration to his students. May God hold you in his steady arms in this time of sorrow.
Frank Einhellig

Dear Les,
Thanks for all that you and Paul did for Oregon State University and so many other institutions. Paul was a gifted leader in science and in academia. From natural history to national parks, from biogeochemical cycles to global change, from grasslands to global sustainability, he left a strong legacy. We honor his memory and send our condolences.