Writing in the Corner

My sister-in-law wrote this obituary for my father-in-law, who died last Tuesday night. I thought it was very nice and decided to post it here.

Richard “Dee” Porter, 84, died on October 2, 2007. He was born July 11, 1923 in Harrisville, Utah, and served with his twin brother in the U.S. Army Air Forces in England during World War II.

He was an Eagle Scout and earned a doctorate in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University, conducting dissertation research at Big Bend National Park. He taught at universities and served as a wildlife research biologist at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, MD, where he studied the effects of the pesticide DDT on falcon reproduction. He served as an expert witness for the DDT hearings, Washington DC (1970-71).

Porter was an accomplished wildlife photographer whose pictures of birds appeared in various publications. It is a tribute to his love of nature that his sons also became biologists.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed family history, and traveled to Poland and Ellis Island, NY to learn about his family’s emigration.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lois G. Porter of Gainesville; two sons, Sanford Porter (Gainesville) and Calvin Porter (Slidell, LA); and their children and grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 13 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3745 NW 16th Blvd., Gainesville, Fl.