Daniel Sarr PhD

1964 - 2015

On Friday August 28, 2015, 51-year-old U.S. Geological Survey research ecologist, Dr. Daniel Sarr, died while hiking in a remote and rugged area of the eastern Grand Canyon as part of a study of riparian ecology.
Daniel is survived by his wife, Jocelyn O'Neill; son, Liam Sarr; his parents, Joseph E. Sarr, and Hope Overholt; siblings, Joseph B. Sarr, Julia Sarr, Michael Sarr, Matthew Sarr, and Jonathan Sarr.
Daniel was born on March 13, 1964 in San Jose, but grew up in Porterville, California graduating from Monache High in 1982. A committed student, Dan went on to graduate from Humbolt State University in 1998 with a B.S. degree in Biology, followed in 1995 with an M.A. in Aquatic and Population Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In 2005, Daniel earned a Ph.D. in Forest Science from Oregon State University.
He married Jocelyn O'Neill in 1998. The couple welcomed son Liam O'Neill Sarr into their home in 2003. His wife and child were the driving force in Daniel's life and in turn were very supportive in helping him achieve his career and academic success.
Daniel's interest in the complexity of nature drove an exceptional enthusiasm, energy, and wealth of ideas for all things ecology. He worked for thirteen years as a Supervisory Ecologist / Program Manager for the Klamath Network-National Park Service in Ashland, Oregon. Daniel's leadership was recognized when he was selected to represent the United States as a Fulbright Fellow studying at the National University of Ireland in 2008. He led his community in the development of a plan to monitor the ecological integrity the National Parks of northern California and southern Oregon. This plan was of national significance and reflected his vision for excellence in science and earned a National Park Service Superior Performance in 2011. From 2014 onward Daniel was a Research Ecologist with the USGS-Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Daniel was known by all as a kind-hearted man, a wonderful friend, and committed son, brother, husband, and father. He will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Dan's life is scheduled for Monday 9/14 at 11:00am at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church in Porterville, California with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Memorial Scholarship for Liam's education at Bank of America, Ca. UTMA Acct. #32504547648