Milton Webster Weller's Obituary
On December 19, 2017 Milton W. Weller left this earth to study a new wetlands area under God’s keeping. He was born in St. Louis, MO May 23, 1929 to parents John & Lillian Weller. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 70 years, Doris Weller, his son Mitchel W. Weller and his sister Delsea Holzschuh. Milt began his higher education at Washington University in St. Louis, MO and earned his Ph.D at University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. He went on to teach and serve as Department Heads at Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota and Texas A&M in College Station TX where he was the Kleberg Chair in Wildlife Ecology then retired in 1994 after 12 years. Pioneering an effort to understand the linkages that exist between wetlands birds and their habitats , he compiled an impressive list of publications over four decades, including such classic books as The Island Waterfowl and Freshwater Marshes, and Ecology and Wildlife Management, which are used throughout the country in wetlands courses at the college level. While teaching and doing ongoing research Milt served on the National Board of Directors for the Audubon Society from 1986-1991. In 1997 he was awarded the prestigious Aldo Leopold Memorial Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Wildlife Society. Milt was always thankful for his former students and colleagues that remained in contact and honored him regularly at special gatherings. From the family we appreciate all of you. A Tribute gift in the name of Milton W. Weller can be made by calling The Nature Conservancy at 703-841-5300. Please request that your kind donation be specific to wetlands projects. Tribute gifts can also be made on-line at nature.org however you will not be able to request that the donation goes to wetlands. Any donation to to the Nature Conservancy is appreciated as this was one of Milt’s favorite organizations.
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