Albert R. Mead

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Cornell University University of Arizona

Albert Mead Obituary

Albert R. Mead July 17, 1915 - March 13, 2009 Albert Raymond Mead, 93, passed away peacefully with his loving wife of 67 years at his side. He was born in San Jose, California, on July 17, 1915. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet; his sister, Jenny and his brother, Harley. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor; his children, Ruth and Jim; his grandchildren, Jon, Jeanna, Joshua, Jannelle and Aimee and several great-grandchildren. Al received his Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1942, where he was a John Henry Comstock scholar. During World War II, he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in British West Africa, working as a parasitologist in the Inter-Allied Malaria Control unit. It was there that his life-long interest in the giant African land snail and related species was sparked. Through his intense dedication for over 60 years of study and research, he is still considered the world expert on these species. After meeting and marrying his wife Eleanor, he accepted a professorship in zoology at the University of Arizona, Tucson, in 1946, where, for over 50 years, he taught and inspired students to follow their dreams.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on Mar. 22, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Albert Mead

8 Entries

Dana Simon MD

August 9, 2024

Dr. Albert Mead was a Professors Professor, an elite person of letters and science who had an uncanny ability to communicate complicated scientific and everyday information alike to anyone, layperson or pre-professional. He would only rest when he knew the student learned what he intended to teach. He fought for the rights and abilities of every student he mentored. He was a most effective unique and intelligent academician, most helpful and kind mentor, I was lucky enough to encounter in college or in medical school. He had a great sense of humor as well. There is not a year that has gone by since that I do not marvel about the positive impact he had on me.

Ann Marie Brogan

July 12, 2009

Dr. Mead was one of the nicest people I have ever known. His sense of humor made my day when I worked with him at EEB. I will never forget you, rest in peace!

March 31, 2009

31 March 2009
I was a graduate student of E. Lendell Cockrum from 1956-58. Those were two of the best years of my life, and Dr. Mead helped make it so. My sympathies and best wishes to the family.
Kenneth I. Lange, Baraboo, Wisconsin.

March 26, 2009

Doctor Mead hired me at the University of Arizona in 1956. I retired in 1982.
Doctor Mead was a wonderful man with a pleasing sense of humor. He sometimes referred to himself as the "traveling snailsman". It was a pleasure working for him. I shall never forget him.
George E. Hall, Cochise, Arizona

March 25, 2009

Dear Eleanor; May we extend our deepest sympathy and pray for your comfort,we enjoyed so many happy evenings at Starlighters,Dance Club,and we enjoyed the Christmas Greetings with your designs of snails and family,we are thinking of you.God Bless,from Craig and Lily Locke.

Georgiana (Sykes) Boyer

March 24, 2009

March 24, 2009
Condolences to Eleanor and the Mead family on their loss of a very special person. As a student of Dr. Mead's in 1948-1950 I wish to echo Charlotte Hubbard's comments. He was a wonderful teacher - his enthusiasm for his subject was infectious, his lectures so clear and interesting that they remain memorable to this day. He was my favorite college teacher also - and I just wish every student could have a teacher like him.

Georgiana Boyer,B.S.,U of A 1951, M.D. Harvard, 1955

Charlotte (Webber) Hubbard

March 23, 2009

I was one of Dr Mead's students in 1952 and he was my favorite professor. His lectures were so facinating that I often forgot to even take notes. His tests were hilarious, but very tough,ie: "Mickey and Minnie Mouse went to see Dr Donald Duck..a local Quack...and he continued to describe the ailment for us to determine the cure". If you missed it...you failed! I have never forgotten how his sense of humor made learning so interesting and wonderful. Dr. Mead remains my very favorite teacher of my college experience from 56 years ago.

Maurice Swinnen

March 22, 2009

Dear Eleanor,

Our deepest sympathy in your loss.
From one ballroom dancer to another.
Martha and Maurice Swinnen

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