How lucky are we - to spend our lives immersed in the magnificent wildlife of America, at such wonderful sites as Audubon Sanctuaries. -Rich Paul
	Above from Ed Carlson, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, FL

 

In 1995, I was the new kid on the block, a new sanctuary manager. In late October of that year Audubon held a staff training in Pennsylvania and I ended up sharing a room with Rich Paul who had already been with Audubon more than 20 years. What a gift! For three nights we stayed up late talking about the organization, the pride of the sanctuary managers and wardens, the level of care that sanctuary staff put into their work, and a whole gamut of other subjects. I left there feeling that I had just received a lifetime of Audubon sanctuary skills and attitude in one three day period. And from that moment I could always pick up the phone and call Rich and ask for his input, his friendship and his advice. His strength was our guiding light. If there was ever a flag-bearer for the Audubon Sanctuary department, it was Rich Paul. Paul Tebbel, Director, Rowe Sanctuary and the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center, NE
	Rich Paul. His name is synonymous with National Audubon's Tampa Bay Sanctuaries (a.k.a. Florida Coastal Islands). Both his love and passion for his work were boundless and awe-inspiring. I believe Rich represents all that was right with Audubon. From the first time I started working in the Sanctuary Department, Rich was my own personal Audubon historian. In time he became a trusted colleague and friend who I deeply admired and respected for his warmth, integrity, loyalty, knowledge, amazing work ethic, lovely dry wit, and true concern for others. There are no words to express how much this sweet man will be missed. In a perfect world, everyone would have a Richard T. Paul in their lives - I'll be forever grateful that I had the good fortune to know the one and only. "My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today." -- Richard Adams, Watership Down Lucille Brock, Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, CT*; NY
About 15 years ago Rich stayed at my house for a few nights. My boys were 4 and 5 and Rich had a great time playing Power Rangers and TMNTurtles with them. While Rich was in the shower the first night - the kids got a bright idea - they got out paper, scissors and crayons and proceeded to draw, color and cut out snakes - then they sneaked into his room and put them between his sheets. When Rich got into bed you have never heard such screaming and yelling and he came tearing out of the room and down the hall in his jammies - the boys were rolling on the floor laughing and it was a great time for all! Barb Thomas, Francis Beidler Forest Sanctuary, SC
	Rich and Ann came to the Research Ranch, Elgin, AZ, on their honeymoon five or so years ago. They were a really nice couple and although they came here to bird, it rained and was cold the entire time they were here. But they never complained. We tried to convince them that a swamp marriage (via Ed C at Corkscrew) doesn't count in Arizona but they just would not listen to us. They had a great life together. We've kept up over the years and been great friends. I hope there are some nice shorebirds in the afterlife. Bill Branan, Research Ranch Sanctuary, AZ
My Rich Paul Fan Club jump-started itself the first week I met him. He very probably saved my life. During the middle 1970s, he was studying his beloved Reddish Egrets ("shredded egrets," he called them) on the Texas coast. After several days of visiting colonies of wading birds, Rich decided it was time I added whooping cranes to my life list. We left for Aransas NWR in his outboard boat from a ramp at a state park not far from Rockport. It was a time before cell phones, weather channels, and all that jazz, and the day looked just fine to us. But we hadn't been on the water ten minutes when we noticed a huge black cloud in the distance, twisting in our direction. Rich made a quick turn and fled toward the park, but even at high speed we couldn't outrun the twister. It was on us before we knew it. Rich shouted at me to lie face down in the bow while he ran the boat through the most insensate violence I've ever experienced--boiling seas, pitch darkness slashed by lightning, a deafening roar, a broadside of hailstones. We got a break when the lights at the state park, triggered by darkness, came on. Rich pointed the boat for the lights. We hit the dock so hard it split the boat's stem. The twister, we heard later, swept on to rip the roof off the local junior high, but we were intact--soaked, shaken, and Rich with a forehead pockmarked by hailstones, but okay. Rich, the man of action, was also a scholar. He loved old books and other publications about birds, Audubon, and local history. Because I was more than 20 years his senior, he liked to keep up the fiction that I knew more Audubon history than he did, but I often called to tap his knowledge of the past as well as the present. Incidentally, Richard T. Paul took it as a kind of omen that his initials matched those of HIS hero--Roger Tory Peterson. Now, in our grief, there is one indestructible consolation: the miracle that, against all odds and while there was still time, Rich and Ann found each other. Frank Graham , Audubon Field Editor, ME
	Rich was part of the real Audubon, which I remember with fondness and pain. For Rich, the mission was everything, the organization worthy of the devotion one shows to an army or a church; that's how it seemed. I recall most of all the look in his eyes when he was talking about the birds on his islands, how he seemed lit from within. Carl Safina, Scully Sanctuary, NY*; Blue Ocean Institute, NY
Many years back, Rich and his daughter stopped by Wilmington while he was "on vacation" and headed north to see his folks. He wanted to see the NC waterbird sanctuaries. We spent two days traveling by boat and vehicle to see the sanctuaries, which are scattered over about 180 miles of coastline. The entire time he always wore his Audubon Sanctuary uniform. There was never anyone more proud than Rich to wear the uniform. As we traveled the coast on that trip and every time our paths crossed, as well as many, many hours on the phone, Rich was always quick to share his wisdom, offer advice, and provide encouragement at the time when I needed it. And each time, I came away from our conversation a little smarter than I was before. Audubon lost a great champion and we all lost a great friend. He will be missed. He already is... Walker Golder, North Carolina Coastal Islands Sanctuary, NC
	I met Rich when I worked for the state wildlife agency. He had a bird die-off in a lagoon at one of his islands and I went over to help assess it (on a holiday, of course). It looked like the die-off was over, we put out a scare gun. He was matter of fact, not alarmist, and had that wry wit. I had little idea about Audubon at that time and was surprised how much he knew, and all the things he told me he was doing. The longer I worked with Audubon, the more I learned about him, and the bird protection movement of which he was a part. It was partly through him, I realized I was part of it too. His model of working with people, to work with rookeries, has been kind of amazing to me. As Audubon has changed in the last decade, I watched with amusement to hear his exasperation with being told things like, "we're not doing that stuff anymore," to end up being asked, "how did you build all this, to work with so many people and birds?" Things come full circle. I collect old bird books and when he stayed over we'd sit and read through them. Although I know lots of the early ornithologists, it was stunning that when leafing through old Florida Naturalist magazines, he knew most of the people in them, famous or not. What a resource. His talk at the Highlands County Audubon Chapter last year woke me to a new, old bird. Laughing Gulls are pretty common around here, and I considered them mundane, and even annoying. He went through their biology, and what he considered a low population of an interesting bird, that bears watching. I suddenly liked seeing them. And yesterday I counted 1,450 Laughing Gulls on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee, the highest number I've gotten in 3 years, by twice! It was nice to be in their company. Perception of my job has changed from being a cool job, to one that is an honor to have. Reading about the accomplishments of people in the bird protection movement is inspiring. And with Rich, I actually got to work with one of those inspiring and successful people. We always wish for more time, at least he spent his time very well. Paul Gray, Kissimmee Prairie/ Lake Okeechobee Sanctuaries, FL
Sad day for Audubon is right! Rich Paul's passing leaves a huge hole in the very fabric of Audubon, its history, its science, its hands-on "putting our money and our talents where our talk is!" When I came on the NAS board in 1980 I was eager to learn everything I could about what the Society was doing. Rich Paul was an enthusiastic mentor. He showed me a whole different world (as in Tampa Bay being so different from Puget Sound!) and how it worked, and who the creatures were in that world of his. One memorable field trip was a whole day making rounds with him among the 'hammocks,' or tiny islets of his sanctuary. He was always immediately responsive to my inquiries about things in the NAS Sanctuary and Research arena; what a mentor! And we laughed about our differences with my wanting to eliminate a major invasion of Spartina alterniflora on my side of the continent's rich mudflats while he was struggling to keep it going in his bays and inlets. While I was being advised to "nuke" Spartina with herbicides, he was spending an inordinate amount of time purposely planting it to stabilize the hammocks for his breeding colonies. In the late 1980s Rich put together a slide lecture on the history and works of National Audubon. It was dramatic, moving and eloquent. His attention to the details about the early Audubon Wardens was so thoughtful; an outstanding memorial to those men. And there should be an outstanding memorial to Rich Paul, Audubon Sanctuary Warden First Class! Please keep me informed on what will be done to honor this great friend of wild creatures, and the people who care about them. Helen Engel, Former NAS Board Member, WA
	Many years ago, Sandy Sprunt had to do some rearranging in his Research Department and he and Frosty decided the best place for Rich Paul would be in the Sanctuary Dept. One of the best moves ever made on Sanctuaries' behalf! What a fine, talented and dedicated man was Rich. His contributions to the good of NAS in general and the Tampa Bay sanctuaries in particular are too numerous to try to list. We have lost a wonderful friend and a dear member of the dwindling few whom I consider to be Audubon family! I am pleased to have known him and my deepest condolences to his family, especially Ann. Nancy Anderson, ALL Audubon Sanctuaries: Miles Sanctuary, CT*; IN
We have lost an Audubon hero- an unflagging, tireless champion for life. Those that knew him were fortunate as he always gave his best- his complete commitment. His work was his life and he gave his life to his work. We remember him for offering us all a link to our Audubon roots and a vision for what the future can be when we care enough. Thank you, Rich------ Steve Kress, Maine Coastal Islands Sanctuaries, ME
	When I think of Rich, aside from his being a really good friend and very fine person, I think of his command of the body of information that contributed to his work. He just knew what there was to know about wading birds in Florida, and could write and speak about it competently and eloquently. The next thing I think about is his unabashed love of Audubon the institution. He loved it so much that he made it his business to know and remember everything about its history. He was the go to guy for a talk or for information about Audubon. He had the particulars. When he visited South Carolina for one of the several events to which he and Ann were invited over the years, it was he who hunted down the grave site of Mr. Reeves, the martyred South Carolina Audubon Warden, to my great satisfaction and slight embarrassment. There are a few people who just exude Audubon from their very souls, and Rich was one of them. It was a point of pride to Rich that he had spent his life with and for Audubon. He loved to remind me that he had joined the Audubon staff one year before me. Norm Brunswig, Francis Beidler Forest Sanctuary, SC
I am afraid I cannot identify the exact moment I met Rich Paul. However, I do know that he was one of the first people to call me after Audubon recruited me to do population work. Rich, as most of the wildlife biologists in the world, knew the human population growth was pushing wildlife out of their niche on the planet. We became great friends. So much so that he would be one of the first people to call when I took early retirement. Mostly he wanted to complain that I had retired before him. He would get his chance the following year. In between we had the opportunity to work together on the Sharing the Earth project. He was the first to go to his site in Thailand and could serve to guide the other folks who would travel to faraway lands. His story of talking with the Buddhist monks about wild places and change was one of the most moving accounts of cross cultural perspectives. Like so many of you who will read this, I had one of those spiritual moments with Rich on Tampa Bay. Perhaps that is the one that will always stand out. After a day of exploring the islands and discussing the disconnect between humans and the natural world, we spent the final hours of the day watching roseate spoonbills coming in to roost. Sitting in a boat at sunset silently participating in the spectacle of life going on. Ken and I talked to Rich a lot during the past year but not enough. I can still hear the cadence of his voice and the wonder of his laugh. We are blessed by the people in our lives, and Rich's blessing is full and expansive. He reminds us to love each other and the glory of all the creatures who share life with us. Meister Eckhart, the great mystic, once said, "If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough." Thank you, Rich. Pat Waak, Audubon Population Program, DC*; Chair of CO Democratic Party, CO
	To my mind, Rich Paul is the consummate Audubon Warden. And I know he would consider that the high praise it's intended to be. For as long as I've know him, he's embodied the best of our tribe -- tireless dedication to the hard work of habitat restoration and management, superb scholarship in the study of birds wherever he found them, constant curiosity about the natural world, great writing skills, and an apparently endless passion for the birds that were in his charge. Rich was always a great communicator and I think that's because he loved to tell a good story, usually with a wry smile and some good-natured laughter. And he was a good storyteller because he was as genuinely interested in all the people who fought for bird protection as he was in the birds themselves. I can't remember a time that I spent with Rich where the conversation didn't eventually come around to some piece of Audubon's heritage, and a great story would follow. And every time, he would tell me something I'd never heard before -- some new bit of humor or history about some remarkable character from conservation's recent or distant past. For me, Rich has always been the keeper of the Audubon story. He's the scribe and the minstrel who wanted to make sure the legends never died. Like so many others who got to know Rich, I felt like I got a glimpse into his essence while riding with him in his boat, patrolling his island bird colonies, ending the day in silence, floating with the engine off, watching the evening flight of birds back to an island sanctuary. Rich's connection to his birds is as close to mystical as anything can get. You can draw a straight line from Audubon Warden Guy Bradley -- whose death 100 years ago galvanized the Audubon movement -- to Rich Paul and his stewardship of the latest generations of Florida birds. Rich was intensely aware of the responsibility that came with the torch that had been passed to him. He kept the faith. He was true to the tradition. He kept the legend alive. Rich was always a living inspiration to me in all the work I've done for Audubon and bird protection. I imagine he's inspired countless others who will now need to carry the torch he's passed to us. I'm proud to have been his friend. And I'm sure he'll fly forever with his beloved birds. Ken Strom, Rowe Sanctuary, NE*, Director of Bird Conservation, CO
I would like to let the family know what significant role Rich played at the NAS Sanctuary gatherings in the early 90s. His confidence and leadership for the newer managers like myself truly helped me adjust to the NAS sanctuary family. I only wish I had the opportunity to get out to Tampa Bay to see for myself the special places that he was so committed to. He will be missed! Paul Engelmeyer, Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary, OR*
	Let me begin with my sincerest condolences for our great loss. It has always amazed me how dedicated Audubon Sanctuary Staff are. I knew Rich for as long as I have been with Audubon and I was constantly impressed by how knowledgeable and articulate he was. But, his sense of humor, and gentle mannerisms would light up a room. Working with education and not much research, I felt a bit out of place at some of our Sanctuary Meetings. Rich along with others would make me feel welcome and at home. Buckley Sanctuary's staff consists of my wife and me and sometimes this leaves me wondering what it would be like to have other colleagues close at hand that could respond to suggestions, celebrate special occasions and share family stories. There is a handful for Audubon Staff that even though they are a distance away I feel as though they are kin and that I can call on them for support and advice. Rich has always been one of those folks. I will remember him as the tall, thin guy that knew when to be serious and when to make me laugh. He will be missed but never forgotten. As I hold in my hand and look at a picture of Sanctuary Staff which includes Frosty and Rich. I hope that if there is any uniting of souls, that Rich, Rod, Jim, Guy Bradley, Frosty and all the other dedicated Audubon Family that have passed on will once again lift a glass of good Kentucky Bourbon in their honor. Tim Williams, Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary, KY
My first real connection with Rich goes back more than twenty years when we had a Sanctuary Managers meeting at Miles Sanctuary (remember those days, gang?). Rich and Noel Chandler stayed with Sandy and me at our cabin. I'll never forget those Florida boys freezing their butts off while using our outdoor shower... Anyway, getting to know Rich during this time was special for me. Here was someone who clearly had a solid passion for "the resource" - Rich's term for anything having to do with wildlife and its protection. I was pretty green back then and just getting to know a few people I felt were great role models. Rich quickly moved right up the list. As our careers evolved, Rich and I would continue to connect to share thoughts and advice, bitch and moan, or just catch up. He always had something articulate and well-thought-out to say. He also was pretty good at delivering the lamest jokes - I think the Joke of the Week folks can vouch for this... More recently, our contact became more frequent. When I heard Rich was sick I felt I might be able to provide some advice and words of encouragement having been close to a similar situation myself. However, what came out of this was something unexpected - Rich made me feel good. We continued to talk often about all the things that made what we do important and what made his life important. I think that Rich often second-guessed his accomplishments and when I sensed this I would hammer him with "Look around, pal . You may have some doubts about what you've been able to do, but no one else does".  We should all be so lucky to make such a difference. Not many people leave a legacy. Rich did. And anyone in Audubon not able to draw inspiration from his life and then turn it into action should find another career. Rich was what it's all about. He will never be forgotten. Pete DeSimone, Starr Ranch Sanctuary, CA
	He was from the greatest of all Audubon traditions. He always had the core mission of Audubon in his mind and in his heart. When I first met him 17 years ago, he was incredibly helpful to me and the programs I was working on. He gave me a sense of history and purpose in my new job at Audubon. When Audubon would go off course, his voice was a compass. He had a way of expressing what had to be heard in a humble and effective way. There was something about his presence that grabbed you and many times you could not put a finger on what it was. That was what made him special as well as his deep care and concern for the people of Audubon, as well as Audubon the institution. To him, they were one in the same and the term "Audubon Family" was a true value statement. When Jim Rod passed away, Rich's guiding thoughts helped many of us get through it. I remember working with him to have a memorial service at Estes Park at the National Convention shortly after Jim's death. Auduboner after Auduboner shared their thoughts and all of us were strengthened for it. It was Rich that made that happen and we should do the same when we travel to Vail next spring.  He was a kindred spirit whether in pursuing Audubon's mission or cheering on our favorite baseball team, the Yankees. I think about him a lot and miss him. However one need not go far to find him. Just re-read all of these wonderful tributes. Dave Miller, Executive Director, Audubon NY
At my very first Audubon national meeting in 1998 at Estes Park, Colorado, I was "randomly" paired with Rich Paul as my roommate. I had only recently learned that I had gotten a job with the new North Carolina State Office but had not yet officially started. I arrived at Estes Park with some chapter leadership experience but limited understanding of the larger organization. I could not have been luckier. Everyone starting with Audubon should have spent time with someone so steeped in the organization's history, so generous in sharing his knowledge and passion, so committed to conservation and birds. I remember morning birding walks in Colorado with him and his efforts to make sure, for instance, that I got to see a dipper. Rich inspired me to preserve our history, to keep birds at the center of what we do, and to hold the long, patient view on conservation. Chris Canfield, Executive Director, Audubon North Carolina
	My memories of Rich Paul go back to 1981 when his letter of "welcome to the Audubon family" was sitting on my Mid-Atlantic Regional Office desk when Iarrived for my first day of work. We were connected thereafter. I visited "his" sanctuary and islands numerous times to walk the beaches and travel through the sanctuary in the floating armada of boats with Admiral Paul at the helm. He always produced wonderful stories and views of herons, spoonbills, egrets, ibis and so many other birds. His passion was for Colonial nesting birds and particularly for the Reddish Egret. But I will especially remember Rich for two important and exciting qualities. First, his energy and enthusiasm for his work and "his" sanctuary was endless. At one point about ten years ago I sent him an email message (known in the early days of Audubon electronic communications as "ccmail") titled "The Energizer Bunny". Replies to that message between us continued for months with the first line always being "and going, and going, and going...". That energy and enthusiasm is now all of ours to carry on in our own way as our tribute to Rich and to all which he dedicated his professional life. Rich is the Audubon energizer bunny, even today. The second quality I will fondly remember Rich for is his knowledge, commitment and understanding of Audubon history, whether it is the history of John James Audubon or the National Audubon Society. We shared a passion for that understanding and interpretation. We even talked about joining together to do some writing about some of those stories. I happened to be in Florida with my family in late December, 2003 and we spent his last day as an Audubon employee visiting the sanctuary with him and Ann. Rich took pride in showing us the birdlife on the islands and the meandering Manatees in the open water with a knowledge and enthusiasm as if it was his first day. I gave him a personal contribution at the end of the day and he said "this is the last contribution I will receive for Audubon as an employee, but I will continue to raise money as a volunteer". Rich's energy and commitment will be in all of us as long as birds fly. I miss you Rich. Rich, your Audubon legacy is going, and going, and going, and going, and.......... Walt Pomeroy, VP Audubon Mid-Atlantic Region* ; Boardmember, Audubon FL
I joined the Audubon staff at a time when the Sanctuary Department was the place to go for information, history, passion, inspiration, and bourbon.  The men and women of the sanctuary department where the ones I was most proud of having as friends and colleagues.  I was, and still am, in awe of them.  Rich was one of the best of a great group of people.  Early on, I found that there wasn't anything about Audubon that Rich didn't know.  As I got to know him, I discovered that he knew a lot about a lot of things.  But it wasn't what he knew that I most admired and loved about Rich.  It was the way he lived.  His generousity of spirit.  His enthusiasm.  His passion.  His beginner mind.  The way he trasmitted his knowledge, love and curiosity to everyone around him.   Rich was the embodiment of  values of the Audubon movement.  I am deeply saddened by his passing. Although he didn't live long enough, his life was extraordinary!  He touched the lives of countless others in countless ways. Rich's life is one worth celebrating. Wayne Mones, Audubon VP Planned Giving
	A couple of years ago I asked Rich about the naming of the green heron and why some people referred to it as the green heron and other's used the green backed heron. Rich talked for 2 hours after that. He knew everything there is to know about the green heron, more than I could find from the records at Cornell I am sure. I don't know that I retained everything he told me, but I sure get a chuckle every time I see a green heron. Rich was incredible that way. He could paint pictures with his voice, and his words. He could tell a story and make you feel like you were there. He was a resource that can't be replaced. I know his life was too short, but it sure most have been something to walk his footsteps. Kristy Loria, Audubon Regional Financial Manager, GA
The very roots of Audubon have been shaken yet again with the loss of Rich Paul. Florida is at the heart of Audubon's mission, Rich was the heart of Audubon in Florida, and the imperatives of the tradition of science and bird conservation fuelled Rich's fire. What a fire and passion. Rich was among the first "old time" Science and Sanctuaries (as it was then) staff I had the honor to get to know 18 years ago now. Friendship, humor, and caring always came quickly with Rich. Each time we got together or spoke, we commiserated...and chewed the fat again...about what was wrong, and right, with Audubon and the direction it was taking. But no matter what was going on in Audubon the organization, Rich's birds and his sanctuary always came out first, and ahead. My biggest sense of loss now, aside from the fact that Rich's physical being is gone, is that I never had the opportunity to share his sanctuary with him…although, in reality, we all do. His boundless, engaging, wonderful spirit lives on through his work, and Audubon lives on stronger because of him. Geoff LeBaron, Christmas Bird Count Director, MA

* indicates an individual's Audubon affiliation(s) if they have moved on or changed within Audubon, followed by their current affiliation and/or state location