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Dr. William Stuart Birkhead

1941 - 2021

Dr.  William Stuart Birkhead obituary, 1941-2021, Hamilton, GA

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William Birkhead Obituary

Dr. William Stuart Birkhead
March 30, 1941 - July 7, 2021
Hamilton, Georgia - Dr. William Stuart Birkhead, PhD, age 80 of Hamilton, GA passed away Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at his residence.
Dr. Birkhead was born March 30, 1941 in Providence, Rhode Island, the son of William Shawn Birkhead and Mary Scanlon Birkhead. He lost his mother when he was an early teen. He and his brother Robert went to live with several family members, ultimately ending up living with his maternal aunt Peggy and her husband Roger Mabie and their two young sons Christopher and William in Port Ewen, NY.
He graduated from Kingston High School in Kingston, NY in 1959. He entered Cornell University in 1959. While at Cornell he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity where he served as Social Chairman. He spent the summers between 1960 and 1963 wrestling alligators and milking rattlesnakes at the roadside New York Serpentarium with his childhood best friend Dr. William H. Brown. He completed his bachelor's degree in biology at Cornell University in 1963 and went on to start graduate work on Ictalurid catfish toxins at the University of Texas at Austin. In 1965 he married Faith Emmerich and she joined him in Austin. He graduated with a Masters in 1966 and PhD in Vertebrate Biology under Dr. Clark Hubbs in 1968. He then began postdoctoral work in Cordoba, Argentina in 1968 surveying the fishes of the southern Andes. Faith and his good friend Dr. Richard Sage joined him in this work. Bill and Faith left Argentina in 1970 when Faith was pregnant with their first child, Heather.
He took a job with North Carolina State University in 1970 supervising studies on the impacts of the Brunswick nuclear powerplant being built in Southport, NC. He accepted his first academic position as a Professor at Columbus State University in Columbus, GA in 1978, and served as Chairman of the Biology Department until his retirement in 2011. It was here that he was truly in his element. He taught a variety of courses from Anatomy and Physiology to Vertebrate Natural History, to Ecology, and Ornithology. He loved traveling and as part of his curriculum took many students on trips to locations across the Southeastern US, South America, Africa, the Caribbean, and Australia.
He instilled in his many students the importance of education and a true love for the natural world. "Dr. B" also imparted many "Birkhead-isms" on life and philosophy that are still remembered years later. Fieldwork and field trips were family affairs, and no roadkill could escape examination. "One more haul" was uttered along every creek in the Chattahoochee drainage. He never met a stranger and was as comfortable talking turtles with the locals at a rural gas station as he was someone with a PhD. He knew all the custodians, maintenance workers and cafeteria staff by name everywhere he went. He will also be remembered for his great sense of humor, especially his puns of which he was especially proud.
He was active in professional organizations and regularly attendednational and regional meetings of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Association of Southeastern Biologists, Audubon Society, Southeastern Ecology and Evolution, Gopher Tortoise Council where he served as the Georgia state rep, GA Botanical Soc. and many more. He frequently judged student posters and presentations at these meetings. He was President of the Columbus Audubon Society from 1982 to 1984. He later enjoyed leading groups on bird walks through FDR State Park on Pine Mountain.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Birkhead was preceded in death by his brother, Robert D. Birkhead.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Faith E. Birkhead of Hamilton, GA; daughter Heather B. King (Dr. Joshua A. King) of Covington, GA; son, Roger D. Birkhead (Dr. Chelsea K. Ward) of Pike Road, AL; and five grandchildren (David A. King, Ashley E. King, Michael W. Birkhead, Sawyer E. Birkhead, and Adelaide E. Birkhead).
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday August 21 st from 5 to 8 PM at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, Columbus, GA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any of the organizations mentioned above, The Nature Conservancy, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, or the William S. Birkhead Fund for Biology at Columbus State University.
Enjoy your ultimate power nap dad. You earned it.
Online condolences may be offered at coxfh.com.
Cox Funeral Home, Hamilton, GA is assisting the family with arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Columbus Ledger-Enquirer on Jul. 11, 2021.

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Wilson Laney

December 5, 2021

Dear Faith, Heather and Roger, I just learned of Bill's passing from a colleague at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Needless to say I share your grief and sorrow at his passing. Bill was a valued friend, colleague and mentor. He turned me into a quasi-herpetologist while I was working on my MS in Aurora, and then spent more hours with me when I was working on the PhD in Southport. I will never forget his smile, and his joyful enthusiasm. He helped us (me, Chris Benedict and Todd Johnson) release a 7+ foot American Alligator which we caught while trawling up shrimp for me to mark, in Walden Creek. He is much loved by so many of us, and I am sorry that I hadn't talked to him in a while. Best to all of you and I pray for your comfort and peace. Love to all, Wilson.

Francis Gardner

July 14, 2021

There are so many special cherished memories of a true colleague and highly personally respected friend! To know Bill was to love him and his family! His smiling/grin is forever burned into my memory and I shall miss him greatly; as a scientist, educator and friend!

Pamela Lopez

July 13, 2021

I am so very sorry that you have lost such a wonderful father and husband. I graduated from CSU as a biology major in 1980 and took more classes and worked in the biology labs during the following year before I headed off to graduate school. I took several classes with Dr. Bill, did research with him, and enjoyed many amazing field trips under his guidance. I am beyond grateful for having had Dr. Bill as a role model and friend while at CSU and beyond. He played a key role in shaping me as a biologist and teacher, and in giving me a glimpse of what my life could be like as a university professor. I will cherish my many fond memories of Dr. Bill.

Mary Jane Wadkins

July 13, 2021

He was such a joy to be around!

Amrita Lal-Paterson

July 12, 2021

I'm very sorry for your loss. Dr. B was a wonderful person. I always loved his classes.

Hugh Rodgers

July 12, 2021

So sad to learn of the passing of a CSU colleague who was highly respected and admired for his true professionalism. Sincere sympathy to Faith and the family. Hugh & Sandra

John Doheny

July 12, 2021

Dr. Birkhead was one of the best professors I ever had! I admired his enthusiasm towards his subjects and his students. The world needs more like him. I wish you peace in your grief.

kevin arthur

July 12, 2021

sincere condolences. Scanlon family connection.

Brenda Whitten

July 11, 2021

Faith and family,
So sorry for your loss!
I will keep you in my prayers!

Harry and Dottie Lange

July 11, 2021

Dottie and I send you our thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you and give you His peace. We know you have many memories from you many adventurous years together.

Barbara Roth

July 11, 2021

We sure enjoyed knowing Bill. Just wish we had more time to visit. It was always a fun and interesting time well spent with Dr. B and Faith. We will miss him too. We send our prayers your way as you celebrate such an extraordinary life.
Barbara Roth and family

Faye Railey

July 11, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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Memorial Events
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Aug

21

Celebration of Life

5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center

Columbus, GA

Funeral services provided by:

Cox Funeral Home - Hamilton

240 Walton Street P. O. Box 473, Hamilton, GA 31811

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