PAUL BUCK HONORED

Paul was described as an individual who personifies each and every facet of the Academy’s mission statement, which states that "The purpose of Academy shall be to stimulate scientific research; to promote fraternal relationships among those engaged in scientific work in Oklahoma; to diffuse among the citizens of the State a knowledge of the various departments of science; and to investigate and make known the material, educational, and other resources of the State. His numerous contributions in both teaching and research were cited.  ONPS members who have worked with him on various committees of the Society or followed him on field trips well understand how he has had such a profound influence on so many people.

Paul’s ability as a teacher at the University of Tulsa and at The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory at Gothic, Colorado was praised by several former students who returned to Oklahoma to attend the award presentation and symposium. Connie Murray, a former student of Paul’s, delighted the symposium audience with her tale of a student field trip to Mexico and his resourcefulness in getting students and vehicles there and back.

Paul’s research activities and contributions to our understanding of the flora and vegetation of Oklahoma were also outlined.  His work with Estelle Levetin on allergenic plants in the state was cited, as was his classic book Distribution and Identification of Woody Plants of Oklahoma in the Winter Condition, which has been used by countless individuals becoming acquainted with the woody flora of the state. He had an influential role in the formation of the consortium of state taxonomists and ecologists to write a modern manual for identification of the state’s vascular flora. He is one of the authors of Keys & Descriptions for the Vascular Plants of Oklahoma, which is the precursor to the Flora of Oklahoma.

As ONPS members are well aware, in addition to his traditional writing as a scientist, Paul has, for years, made botanical phenomena meaningful to all of us via his quarterly contributions titled "Botany Bay" in the Gaillardia. A perusal of some of his topic titles — Latin & Scientific Names, Fall Color Change in Leaves, Medicinal Plants, Sex in Your Garden, The Tranquillity of Nature, Passion Flowers, Tropisms, The Apple, and Journey of Wonder — reveals that some of his columns were whimsical, others more  philosophical, but all were informative. Each of us likely has our favorite column.

Topics of papers presented at the symposium in Paul’s honor were quite diverse.  The symposium was moderated by Connie Murray.  Charles Carpenter, Emeritus Professor of Zoology at the University of Oklahoma, outlined the origins of the Oklahoma Academy of Science and the beginnings of studies in natural history in the state.  Bruce Hoagland, a familiar ONPS field trip leader, presented From Mountains to Plains, Gradients in Oklahoma Vegetation. Ron Tyrl gave a history of Oklahoma botanists. Professor George Diggs from Austin College in Sherman, Texas presented The Cross Timbers: Natural History Provides Clues to the Past. In a presentation titled Cedar Pollen in Oklahoma: A 25 Year Perspective, Estelle Levetin, Professor of Biology at University of Tulsa, described her collaborative research with Paul.  The final speaker was Alan Prather, also a former student of Paul and now Director of the Michigan State University Herbarium. He described Paul’s influence on his life, and presented a thought provoking talk titled Plant Collecting, Our Dynamic Flora, and the Known Unknowns in the War on Terra.

Our congratulations to Paul for being honored by the Oklahoma Academy of Science and our profound thanks to him for his many contributions to us all!

 
                        Paul Buck with Former Students                                                                          Paul Buck with Wife and Daughter