We lost a very important WBA member in September in the sudden death of Bob Hardwick. Bob taught us so much both in programs as well as in the field. Many of you may remember the excellent programs he gave on Hairstreaks and Crescents using his own stunning photographs. Copies of these will be available at WBA meetings and can be ordered through Al Wagar.

Bob’s energy and enthusiasm added fun to our field trips where he was al- ways willing to explain how to identify a species to someone new to butter- flying. He conveyed as much enthusiasm about Woodland Skippers as Red Admirals and always took time to explain ID points to butterflying beginners. He was an excellent teacher, as many of his former students from Stadium HS in Tacoma recalled at his memorial. Bob taught us so much about approach to life (be excited about the common) and share knowledge about the most common of butterflies! Bob made us a better organization. We will miss him deeply!

Obituary

Robert Hardwick (Bob) Age 72, passed away unexpectedly at home in his sleep on September 4, 2014. Born in Bellingham on April 6, 1942, he resided in Gig Harbor for the last 25 years. He graduated from Bellingham High School in 1960, received his Bachelor’s of Education from WWU in 1964 and received his Masters of Education from University of North Carolina in 1970.

Bob exuded joy and enthusiasm and made people feel at ease with his friendly, vibrant, and outgoing nature. He had a love for teaching, and taught science classes at Stadium High School for 27 years. The study of butterflies was his focus. He wrote a book, The Butterflies of Washington, a compilation of his lifetime of study and the first of its kind with color photographs and descriptions of every species in Washington State. He also led numerous field trips and gave presentations as a member of the Washington Butterfly Association (WBA). Bob enjoyed hiking, camping, traveling, gardening, fishing, and spending time in nature collecting and photographing butterflies, including one that had been considered extinct. He and his wife traveled for leisure to countries in Europe, Central and South America, and he taught science at an international school in Lagos, Nige- ria for three years in the early 1970s. Bob was very involved with and loved by his family. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jean; daughters Diane Wilson (Jeff), Melissa Lee (Rob), and Jennie Bevan (Dave); son Jeff Hardwick (Alison); six grandchildren: Zach, Jake, Rachel, Matthew, Claire, and Cody; and brother Charles Hardwick (Angela). He was preceded in death by his parents Donald and Dorothy (Dempster) Hardwick, and his sister Donna Jean Benish. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WBA.

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