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Ted McKinney Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Ted McKinney
Kathy Ingle
December 10, 2008
I am at a loss for words and am profoundly saddened to learn, just today, that Ted has passed. I have known Ted for nearly 40 years, and though for many years our paths diverged I take solace today that we had the opportunity to reconnect in recent years. Time had changed Ted - he was more mellow than in his hard-charging more youthful years. More tolerant. He had become ever so much more focused on his true love, wildlife management, and dismissive of most everything else, save family and Blue. He struggled upstream less. It wasn't as though he "gave up" - he had simply found the perfect ecological niche to inhabit. He seemed at peace. Ted was an "old soul" when first we met - but he spent the rest of his life growng into that role. Much has been said of his intellect, his knowledge, his work ethic, his ability to mentor and teach - and to be sure he was without equal. But what I will remember most is his curiosity, dry wit, self effacement, loyalty, unwavering committment, and the knowledge that if I had asked, any time, anywhere, he would always have my back. My thoughts and prayers are with his dearly loved family, particularly his much loved sister. I would appreciate knowing the circumstances of his death.
Thorry Smith
November 23, 2008
I can't be thankful enough for my time shared with Ted. He showed me a way to meld my outdoor experiences with my teachings in school to form a basis of a language he was so fluent in. He backed my play over the last nine years as partners do. We succeeded together and we failed together, and were better for it. He offered advice freely about everything in his universe.
Ted was a man of simplicity, an ore of choice developed from the alloys of experience and wisdom. Tested professionally and personally, he was sharp as a knife and as gentle as a chuckle. He influence on me has yet to be fully realized.
We all miss him. And as solace to family and friends know that his perspective on his own passing was alike to his approach in living; with a steady hand and a smile, leading the reigns home. Be at peace, partner.
MariAnn Koloszar
November 19, 2008
I just found out about Teds passing. Although I didn't work directly with Ted in the Research Branch, we had several converstions from wildlife to life in general. He was a brillant man and I'm going to miss the ol' cowboy!
Harry Simpson
November 18, 2008
A cowboy's prayer......
I've been a long time coming, Lord,
But now, I'm riding in.
I see those gates just shining,
Where no pain is felt within.
I heard the angels singing, Lord,
When they came to escort me.
They let me ride my favorite horse
On in to eternity.
I'm thankful for my days on earth,
And my friends & family there below.
They knew quite well my time had come,
But they grieved to see me go.
I ask that you give them comfort, Lord,
For I'm in a better place.
Please let them know that I rest in peace,
Thanks to your matchless grace.
Please let them know that I love them, Lord,
And all fear has been put aside.
I will wait for a grand reunion,
When they, too, cross the Great Divide.
Rich Beausoleil
November 12, 2008
Ted was one of those unique individuals that you meet and within 5 minutes you know he's the kind of person you want to be around. He had a charismatic personality and was extremely knowledgeable about a myriad of subjects…..but he never forced his knowledge on you…..he had a quiet, meaningful way about him in that aspect. It wasn’t until you worked with him, or you conversed with him on a topic that he lit up and you realized just how intelligent he was. He was the kind of scientist and person that we all aspire to be. Ted, you were a dandy……I’m glad I knew you.
Steve Nadeau
November 12, 2008
I met Ted through the cougar working group over the last couple years. I was quite impressed with this old codger who had incredible insight and knowledge of cougars, who was articulate, and who was fully engaged as a partner on the working group. I spent some time talking with Ted one- on- one and realized how much this work was part of him and how excited he was to be back in it. He was the first author to finish his chapter for the WAFWA guidelines book and I was amazed at his enthusiasm and work ethic and quality of work. He was an inspiration to us and his absence will be sorely felt. We hope to continue his work and he will be remembered by all of us who had the opportunity and blessing to work with him.
Steve Nadeau
Idaho Fish and Game
Chasa O'Brien
November 8, 2008
Ted was a consummate professional, truly dedicated to his work and at home both behind a desk submitting publications as he was in the field, though I suspect that like any good self-respecting wildlife biologist, he preferred his time out in the vast reaches of our beautiful state and places beyond. Ted will be remembered for both his incredible dedication and generosity of spirit. He was driven to do the work that he did by an internal fire that burned so bright that it would awaken him in the wee hours of the morning. He would get several hours of work done before most people were stepping out of bed. If he could squeeze an extra hour out of the day, then he would. You may think that all of this work and the accolades that came with the quality of his work might make him arrogant, but this was entirely not the case with Ted. Ted was a human supercomputer with a vast knowledge base that he could tap into and reference at a moment's notice and he was incredibly generous with his time and skills. He treated everyone like a friend and colleague, showing interest in everyone's ideas. The fire that drove him in his work was catching, and he helped to ignite and tend that same fire in others as evidenced by his strengths as a mentor. The wildlife conservation community suffered an incredible loss upon Ted's passing. Ted recently declined an opportunity to sit on the editorial board for a new journal by saying, " I am nearing retirement and currently have extensive obligations in field research and conservation planning." I hope that we can make you proud, Ted, in continuing your work for wildlife research and conservation. Enjoy retirement!
Brian Wakeling
November 7, 2008
Ted, got a call from Mark Zornes. He said he was burning some sage on Bannock medicine wheel up in Wyoming, and hoped there would be some cats to chase in the hereafter. It is quite a feat to be respected by such a wide range of biologists, ecologists, ranchers, and people who care about wild places and wild critters. You did it. You did it because you respected others and listened to what they had to say. That is what made you a great scientist and teacher. Thanks for how you spent your life. Those of us on this side of the veil value your contributions. Thank you.
Shelli Dubay
November 7, 2008
Ted was an extraordinary human being and one of the VERY best scientists I have ever met. The wildlife profession is better because of his work and I am a better person for knowing him. I am eternally grateful.
Leonard Ordway
November 5, 2008
A great soul has passed from our wildlife profession and onto a higher feed ground! Ted brought many a smile to my face and was always a pleasure to share thoughts with. He was always available, down to earth and had the uncanny ability to explain the science to anyone. Ted did good science and his works will be remembered and used for a long time to come.
Bob Lemons
November 4, 2008
I first met Ted McKinney in Page, AZ in the early 1990's while he was working for the AZ Game and Fish Department on the Colorado River as part of the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies. He worked out of a primitive make-shift office inside a Bureau of Relamation storage building. Ted had the appearance of someone who was skinny and frail, but he was actually tough as nails and could probably go for days on one sandwich. Working on the upper Colorado River was a grueling job and took hard core field people to handle the conditions. Ted was this type of person. Ted was also a walking/talking encyclopedia of knowledge. Ted kept me advised of the research being conducted while I was stationed in Page, AZ as a wildlife manager. Ted always had time for me and was very dedicated to the wildlife profession. I enjoyed talking and learning from Ted as we could always have candid conversations about the studies in Glen Canyon.
Thanks for the memories and your contributions to the resource Ted.
Ron Thompson
November 3, 2008
"Doc" was an honest man of intelligence and high work ethic. Science was his guide. He had a passion and love for wildlife. He never considered working for wildlife as work. When asked when he would retire he only commented he would be a happy man if he just passed away while conducting research to improve wildlife management. When asked if he would be a member of a team developing conservation strategies for mountain lions and bears he responded by writing over 100 pages with citations and statistics the same night, before the team was formulated! We miss him, but through his efforts our knowledge of wildlife has been greatly enriched. Like a teacher and mentor that he was, he would tell us to apply that knowledge to benefit our wildlife resource.
Scott Rogers
November 3, 2008
In 1993 I traveled from Montana to Page Arizona for my first professional job as a young wildlife biologist. Upon arrival, I stepped into a typical small government office with dingy paint, grey steel office furniture and nothing on the walls. On one of the large steel desks was a pair of worn boots, and attached to them was a grey haired gentlemen dozing with a cowboy hat pulled over his eyes. After a brief introduction to Ted and assurance that I was in the correct place, we began discussing our backgrounds. I had worked primarily with birds to this point and it seemed as though Ted had worked with most critters feathered or furry in the Southwest, and this was his second time being employed by the department. After a brief pause in the conversation, Ted began to laugh. I felt a bit awkward until he explained….”It’s a bit ironic, here we are hired by the department as water quality scientists and it appears to me that neither of us knows a damn thing about water or quality for that matter.” This was the beginning of a long and memorable friendship.
I have had less than a handful of mentors in my life, and I can easily say that any admirable traits that I may have as a wildlife professional can be directly attributed to Ted McKinney. What made Ted the mentor that he was to so many of us? While the timing of his arrival in my professional life was certainly a factor, his talent for mentoring went well beyond temporal chance. Ted had an uncommon talent of conveying the wisdom that he had gained over the years to inquisitive students. I spent 5 years in Page with Ted and everyday was a lesson. Long road trips to meetings were particularly memorable. An hour in the truck alone with Ted was more mind-bending than the defense of my graduate studies. Ted was a brilliant scientist that made you question everything that you believed about processes in nature. He did more than teach us a set of skills that were applicable to our trade. He taught us how to think critically.
After five years of Ted’s supervision and teaching, Ted insisted that I go to graduate school. I did. Although Ted was on my graduate committee, time and space limited our interactions. I missed his direct mentorship but appreciated the opportunity to utilize what I had been taught.
I spent little time with Ted after the prolonged completion of my masters degree until I was diagnosed with diabetes. Once again my mentor was there and helped me through trying times… Not only as my mentor but as my dear friend and peer.
Happy trails Ted. You will be dearly missed.
Chuck Emmert
November 3, 2008
I was sorry to hear about Ted's passing. I worked with Ted on a story for the Wildlife Views TV show - he was studying small animals near Florence by laying out circles of white chalk around a scent. We went back a day later to check for tracks in the chalk. I could tell that Ted really knew his stuff - and he spoke in a way that made it easy to understand. He loved his work and was very dedicated to the cause of wildlife management.
Russ Haughey
November 3, 2008
I always enjoyed the chats I had with Ted, and I was constantly impressed with his eagerness to share his knowledge with the rest of us. One of my first wildlife books, is the Wildlife Techniques Manual, which Ted edited. I am grateful that I had the chance to know the man who put that book together, as well as all of his other accomplishments over the many years of his career. We will miss you.
Sandy Bahr
November 1, 2008
I enjoyed getting to know Ted through his work with Game and Fish on bighorn sheep. He was always direct and would say "we don't really know" when there was not a clear answer to a question. I really appreciated that. I send my deep sympathies to his family.
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