Robert Leslie Davidson

Robert Leslie Davidson was born in Beacon, NY August 8, 1948 to Howard L. and Dorothy A. Davidson. He was gifted a butterfly net in his youth in Poughkeepsie, NY, which introduced him to the world of insects, eventually leading to his chosen profession.

He graduated high school at the American Community School of Milan, Italy and then attended the University of Vermont earning his Bachelor of Arts, followed by two years with the Peace Corps in Nepal. After returning to the U.S. Robert served six years in the National Guard while also earning a Master's degree in Zoology, also from the University of Vermont.

Robert spent his professional career at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA as Collection Manager in Invertebrate Zoology. He became a distinguished and renowned entomologist and the recognized expert within his specialty, Carabidae beetles. He traveled the world collecting beetles, published 27 scientific papers on beetles, and discovered and named several new species. Because of his assistance to other scientists in the form of specimen loans and identifications for numerous papers, colleagues honored him by giving his surname to over 50 insects and other invertebrate animals.

Robert passed in his home on November 7, 2025 in his favorite recliner. He is survived by his sisters Valerie Davidson, Victoria Davidson, and Laura Painter as well as a slew of nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his brother Jeffrey Davidson.

Lifelong friends all over the country and the world are mourning his death. Known to his friends as "Bob" and by his family as "Bird", he was loved.