Paul Fantz
Paul Fantz, 4 August 2016
NC State Univ., Raleigh, NC
We were sad to learn of the passing of Dan this past week. Our prayers and condolences are extended to the family. Dan and Sue very kind to my wife and daughters. Dan loved his family, and frequently informed us over the decades of his children’s achievements. He was very proud of them and their accomplishments.
I was in the herbarium during the mid 1970s. I was an older graduate student who earned my Ph.D. under Dan. He was an excellent mentor, teaching me plants, taxonomic skills, nomenclature, writing and editing skills that prepared me well for my academic position. Also, Dan served as a colleague during the year I served as an Adjunct Professor of Botany.
Although we disagreed on several issues, I enjoyed our numerous philosophical discussions on botanical issues, extension responsibilities, departmental activities, publishing, teaching methods, test preparation, and student evaluation. Dan respected my opposing view and questioning of his ideas. Also, his botanical stories, stories on various botanists, history and cultures.
I have many fond memories and stories of Dan. His unique final exam in taxonomy class where the students are running through the woods identifying plants. His unique weekend field trips, such as a botanical exploration canoe float, Florida swamp exploration, and our trip to the Smokey Mountain State Park. His fascination with snakes and his theory that stroking a cottonmouth’s belly would tranquilize the snake, and the result when he tested the theory on the canoe float. And Dan’s reaction at Lake Alice when his dog jumped in the lake to chase an alligator.
Dan had a wealth of knowledge in many areas, especially his botanical expertise and knowledge on Florida’s flora. Botany has experience a great lost! Our sympathies to the family and their. Lost.
