The SDRP loses a dear friend and colleague: Bill Scott
In April of 2011 the SDRP community was saddened by the passing of its dear friend Bill Scott following his long fight with cancer.
Bill Scott on the water with a camera and his usual smile.
Bill had been a valued and beloved colleague since he first came to work with us as an Earthwatch volunteer back in the fall of 1990.
Over the next 21 years he and his camera became fixtures on SDRP projects ranging from the release of Echo and Misha to summer health assessments, from photo ID surveys to all five of our tagging projects in Argentina, as well as at various conferences around the world.
Bill’s leadership skills were much appreciated by those with whom he worked. He served as the President of the Bermuda Zoological Society. He was made a Vice President of Dolphin Biology Research Institute because we came to rely so heavily on Bill for his wise counsel based on his extensive experience in the business world.
But perhaps the title that meant the most to Bill was that of “Presidente” of the Franciscana dolphin research project, conferred on him by our Argentinean colleagues. Bill became enamored with the research and the people of Argentina (and vice versa), and he made extensive efforts to find support for continuing their ground-breaking conservation work. He and his loving wife Sandra personally made it possible for interns from Argentina to train with the SDRP in Sarasota.
Bill was the kind of person who made every project, every trip, and every shared meal more enjoyable just by being present. He was always ready with a funny story, a silly walk, a heartfelt toast, or good practical advice.
He was extremely generous with his time, his labor, and his resources, especially with people starting out in the research field. He will be remembered and missed by everyone who had the honor and the pleasure of meeting him.
And for those who ask the big philosophical questions like, “How does one best live life?” or “What sort of person should I aspire to be?” there is no better answer than “Be like Bill Scott.”
