Alan Baldridge

We were apparently related. My Mum (Barbara) was Addies Daughter who was Florries Sister.

My Mam has lots of memories.

RIP

So many great memories of Alan.

I was so sorry to hear of Alan's passing. He was a remarkable person. My condolences to Sheila.

Alan was a warm and incredibly knowledgeable man who shared with me much about bird and marine life, but also great stories of my grandfather Laidlaw Williams, who was something of a mentor of his. I am broken hearted to loss that connection. I was also blessed to briefly be Alan's occupational therapist, and despite his many health challenges and set-backs his spirit was always excellent.

I am remiss in sending thoughts in writing, but not because I have not been thinking of you. Seeing you both a month ago was wonderful. I can't tell you how much Alan meant to me as a young naturalist who was lucky enough to land a job next door to where he worked. He was so warm, wise and welcoming. And he always saw everything first. I tried to beat him a few times by calling him: "Alan, I saw a frigate bird over the harbor. His response, oh yes, Sheila and I saw it an hour ago there." There is no one like him and I miss him greatly.
Liz Love Reisenbichler

Fond memories of Alan,heading up our first cooperative exhibit,100 Years of Hopkins Marine Station,at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

When Alan and Shiela left the UK for the US their stay there was just to be temporary,they reached Monterey from further North on the West Coast for a weekend visit and were just captivated by the whole area,they never left.
They enjoyed the wonderful life and hospitality there and followed their careers with enthusiasm and dedication all this was obvious to me on my visits to 1132 Seaview Avenue.
Although my older brother has passed away his legacy remains in the memories of so many people who felt their lives to have been enrichd by knowing him and he will be missed by us all
Brother Ken

Long ago I aspired to move to the Monterey area and be like Alan. I succeeded in the former but not the latter. I will miss the knowledge, opinion, and spirit that he loved to share.

--Jeff Rothal, Pacific Grove

Farewell maestro. You are one of the Titans of marine natural history and ecology and your influence will flow down through the generations. Thank you for gracing our lives and understanding. Our love is focused on Sheila and your memory.

Alan was the most amazing naturalist and librarian - all in one fabulous package! I love his infectious laugh and his wonderful stories of whales and birds from all over the planet. He used to call Jim Covel and I at the Monterey Bay Aquarium from the Hopkins Library whenever whales were passing by Hopkins and we would run out to see the whales in perfect time. He will be so missed. Sheila and Alan have been mentors and friends for so many years - Love and many hugs to my dear friend Sheila. I'm thinking of you daily - don't want to pester you but would love to see you soon.

This man was an amazing resource and kind soul to all graduate students at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories? - I remember asking him about my MS thesis project idea on Alaska rockfish, he validated my literature searches (which took hours and days back then) and said that little was known about them (he took all of 5 seconds). Before Google there was Alan Baldridge and of course his lovely wife Sheila at Hopkins Marine Station! They truly made conducting Marine Science research in the MRY bay area a special experience!

Fred and I first knew Alan when he was a very dishy librarian in Darlington. He was an inspiration to a small group of keen young bird-watchers in Teesside, many of whom, including his brother Ken, and Fred, have continued to be avid birders.
Fred visited Alan and Sheila several times before I met them in Monterey many years later when they made us so welcome and showed us the fantastic wildlife in and around their home area. Conversations were always exciting and enlightening. He will be missed by so many people.

It was my great privilege to be Alan's personal physician for many years. He was one of the most gentle, intelligent, and passionate men I have ever known. His instructing me about grey whales was spellbinding. And Shiela, you are in my thoughts.
--Dr. Bill Breneman

Alan always asked the best questions and gave the best answers. He will be greatly missed.
Brian Weed and Jan Scott

Alan always asked the best questions and gave the best answers.

Brian Weed and Jan Scott

Alan was a great friend, mentor, font of knowledge, and raconteur. One could listen to his stories for hours: about the newest research on cetaceans or seals, or what life in England was like during WWII, or his opinions about BBC programs. We loved his and Sheila's accounts of their travels, or their wisdom from commentary on the world to local politics. We treasure our times together, and will very much miss Alan. Don & Rita

blessings Sheila...and metta

I'd know little and would have done less if I had not known Alan. It was hard to try to be like him, generous, funny, gentle, so knowledgeable, but I tried. There are some people who completely enhance a life: Alan and Sheila are two. When a marine mammal would haul out on the beach, or when a bird flew off course over Monterey, sooner than later the Monterey Herald would print, "Alan Baldridge says ....." and we'd know the accurate ID. With love and gratitude.

Dear Sheila, Love and strength to you as we all remember the joy of our many times with Alan.
Joyce Vandevere

Yes, the birds and mammals of the Monterey Bay lost a loyal friend and protector with Alan's passing. But we who were privileged to learn from Alan about those birds and mammals remain privileged from our memories of Alan's explanations. I am grateful for the insights Alan provided and saddened by his passing. Love, Jane

Oh My, Dear Alan. We love you and we grieve that you are no longer directly with us, but oh so with us in heart and spirit. Your travels with students and not quite yet deserving profs down to Baja California, your wry and wonderful wit, your amazing knowledge and appreciation and love of all of nature, your love and respect for your life-long partner Sheila, all these stay with us as we remember and honor you. We grieve and yet we rejoice, at appreciation of a life lived well and intelligently and always questioning. It is not just we who love you; it is your beloved birds and mammals, and all of nature, that loves you. You rest in peace forever because of your students' thoughts and memories of your kindness and compassion, that you engendered all of your amazing Life, and that will transfer, as it already has, from student to student to student. We are so thankful to have been a small part of this wonderful Life with you and Sheila. We thank you both. Love, Melany and Bernd