David J. Mattson

What an impressive life he led. We need more "David Mattsons" in this world. He will be missed.

I just learned about David's work today. He clearly made important contributions in many areas. I was very sorry to learn of his passing. To his family and friends, I offer my condolences and very best wishes for peace and serenity.

We have lost a conservation giant, a human who knew that we and the wild ones share the planet as one. Condolences to Louisa and David's children.

I met Dave during the years he worked under Dick Knight at YNP, and was highly impressed by his out-of-the-box thinking and diligence in the field. Having been targeted by the Grizzly Bear Mafia myself, I well knew he challenges he faced, and through which he perervered. He was a fount of new insights, which he promoted despite opposition from pro-delisting forces. Within the past decade or so, his websites (e.g., AllGrizzly.org) have become the equivalent of textbooks on grizzly bear evolution and ecology. The only biologists with comparable depth and breadth of insight on grizzly bears were John Craighead and his team. Visit his websites, learn from them, and enjoy the great graphics that he or some ally used to great effect. I shall miss him.

David worked with my father as a grad student at the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources, and those two spent quite a bit of treasured time in the field together working on white bark pine. My Dad had a lot of respect for Dave's intellect and work ethic. They became good friends and soon my mother also was introduced to David and became easy friends with him and his wife. Mom and Dad visited with Dave and his wife in Livingston and this is what my Mom said when I told her Dave had died: "Dave and his wife spent a lot of time at our house. We went to Livingston Montana to visit them and go out into the field where Dave was working and saw grizzly bears. They were a nice couple and I'm sure he achieved some good research."

We have lost a brilliant and courageous advocate for wildlands and wildlife who enriched our lives and whom we will miss. I send sincere condolences to Louisa and all of Dave´s family.

What a guy! Love and peace to his family.

To a life well-lived! You have been so admired.

Thank you Dave for helping to educate a green Yale student 25 years ago on the behavior of bears as well as the behavior of the humans they must coexist with....We will miss you down here.

Thank you for your service to the wild lands, and to all those who, like you, called it home....the bears, the cougars, the birds. May you forever roam those lands you so loved and protected.

Dave was one of the most powerful voices for grizzly bear conservation. He and his partner, Louisa were a power team, and no doubt she will carry on the fight. They were also wonderful friends.

I got to know Dave via Louisa, as she and I had gone to grad school and adventured down the Omo River in Ethiopia, together back in the 1980s. My husband, Tony, knew Dave when he worked at Yellowstone doing the statistical analyses about grizzly bear numbers and ecology. Dave was a gifted scientist and advocate for the great bear during his entire career. He was a gifted teacher and mentor for many young scientists and conservation biologists.

Dave was an awesome breakfast chef, too! He and Louisa kindly let us crash in their guest room several times when we lived in Bozeman and we had some fantastic meals and discussions with them.

Dave was well loved. Sasha, his obsessed border-collie, could hardly stand a moment without him, and Louisa's love shone for him.

The world was better with Dave in it. RIP my friend and deepest condolences to Louisa, your family, and friends. Glad to know Dave passed at home in his sleep like a grizz down for a long winter.

An inspiration and true hero. I feel so honored to have known David. My heartfelt condolences to Louisa, David´s sons and extended family. David, thank you for all that you´ve done for wildlife-they need more amazing and caring people like you. Rest Peacefully In Paradise.

Heartfelt deepest condolences from France

We have lost a treasured conservation hero. Dave was a rare soul who boldly spoke out and stood up for sound science and effective governance. At a time when the grizzly bears and cougars need more science advocates, we can only hope that his legacy inspires others to carry the torch.

Dave, the bears and the mountains will remember you and so will those of us who knew and admired you. You were one of the very best. It was a gift to know you.

Dave and I spend hours in Yellowstone talking bears about 30 years ago. I was unaware of his illness. I´m sad and send hugs for Louisa.

An inspirational leader!

The world is not as bright with the passing of David Mattson. A scientist and conservationist with a spine of steal. A man who let the science guide him without bias and political influence.

Together with his beloved wife Louisa, they did more to protect grizzly bears in the lower 48 states than almost anyone. And with great personal sacrifice. I always felt grizzlies were safe as long as Louisa and David were "on it".

The world has lost a great advocate and champion for the protection of grizzly bears in the lower-48 states and it feels dark and scary without him. Without the courage of people like David, we are adrift, waiting for the next champion to step forward and carry on his work. Undoubtedly, Louisa will carry that torch. A woman who has spent a life protecting the wilds of Montana, selflessly.

The bears of Yellowstone are in far better shape thanks to David. Rest in peace.

My condolences to you all who knew David. David hewed a great monument with his life.
I wish I´d known him.