Charles van Riper III

ST Research Scientist - Ornithologist - Professor Emeritus
USGS, University of Arizona, University of Hawaii, NPS
Northern Arizona University, Colorado State University, UC Davis

Memorium

Home |  About Dr van Riper |  CVR Interview |  Family History |  Family Mission Statement |  Master Gardener | Hunting | Obituary | Testimonials

Sharing a few comments

From Mt Lemmon

  • I am so very shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Van Riper. He was such a warm and kind man and added so much to our community! His research and studies was so first class! ~ Robin K.

  •  Charles was a blessing to all of us on the mountain and will be missed dearly.  Hopefully someone can continue his research and carry on his legacy.

  • Thank you for the email, but it brought me to tears. I've been thinking lately when I've been out in the woods with my dog, that I'd have to let him know when I first heard the male flycatchers return to the boy scout camp. Whenever I saw him, he'd great me with a great smile. Thank you, Charles, for letting me assist you in mist netting and banding birds. ~Karen B.
  •  I met Charles a few summers ago when I bought a cabin in Upper Soldiers Camp. He gave me a nest box. I was struck by what a kind, gracious, friendly, encouraging person he was. I’m sure all those who knew him better than I are even more saddened to get this news. ~Lori J. W. 
  • I had fun with Charles; he saw how things connect very clearly. He'll be sorely missed here. I'm glad I had a chance to participate & help in his work. He was very good at it. ~Paul G.
  • I had fun with Charles; he saw how things connect very clearly. He'll be sorely missed here. I'm glad I had a chance to participate & help in his work. He was very good at it.~ Pam W. 
  • You are in my heart. I know he is sorely missed by you all, and the Mount Lemmon community. his work and his spirit lives on ~Carol T.
  • Charles was such a wonderful neighbor, always taking the time to say hello to me and my girls and talk to them at length about all the birds on the mountain.  He certainly brought a smile to all our faces every time we saw him. ~Danny M.
     
  •  Charles was a light for everyone who knew him, and for humanity itself through his scientific work. ~ Heidi H.
  • . I really enjoyed hearing Charles talk about the Flycatchers. He will be missed.  ~ Henry
  • Charles was such a wonderful neighbor, always taking the time to say hello to me and my girls and talk to them at length about all the birds on the mountain.  He certainly brought a smile to all our faces every time we saw him.  ~ Danny M
  •  Throughout the years we netted and banded Western Flycatchers early in the morning on our cabin deck and other locations on Turkey Run Road. Our grandchildren enjoyed his visits. One granddaughter in particular caught the birding bug. She hung on every word and every morsel of information Charles shared with her. He was a special gift to the mountain. We all blossomed with new wonder and appreciation for the flycatcher’s lives. Gosh, we will miss him. It just doesn’t seem possible. 
    I had the treat of hunting for flycatcher nests with Charlie and Charles. They were a good pair. Tender respect and sharing flowing both ways.  ~ Pam and Dennis W.
  •  I truly enjoyed getting to know Charles and he was such a gift to our community. His memoriam was very informative - I learned so much more about his life and how he became who he was. ~   Sally C.
  •  I had fun with Charles; he saw how things connect very clearly. He'll be sorely missed here. I'm glad I had a chance to participate & help in his work. He was very good at it. ~   Paul G
  •  I met Charles a few summers ago when I bought a cabin in Upper Soldiers Camp. He gave me a nest box. I was struck by what a kind, gracious, friendly, encouraging person he was.~   Lori W
  • My son Thomas loved birds and he and my husband Randall and Mr. Seely helped building the bird houses first year. 
    We have many good memories.  ~  T, R, and T M. 
  • Thank you for the email, but it brought me to tears. I've been thinking lately when I've been out in the woods with my dog, that I'd have to let him know when I first heard the male flycatchers return to the boy scout camp. Whenever I saw him, he'd great me with a great smile. Thank you, Charles, for letting me assist you in mist netting and banding birds. ~   Karen B
  • We loved talking to him and learning about various birds. Our grandkids all referred to him as "birdman", charles will be missed.   j and J R.
  • I am so very shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Dr. Van Riper. He was such a warm and kind man and added so much to our community! His research and studies was so first class!  ~ Robin K

 

 From Professional Collegues, Students and Friends

  •  I felt fortunate to know Charles and to work with him professionally.  He made very valuable contributions over the years to ornithology as well as avian diseases.  I recall a very pleasant evening at a Wildlife Disease Association banquet many years ago when I shared a table with you and Charles.  We had a lovely conversation on some of the most rewarding elements of life and we agreed that family was a key contributor for those of us for whom it was possible.  ~ Richard G Boltzer
  • Charles left a wonderful legacy through the Charles and Sandra van Riper Graduate Research and Travel Award fund here at CSU. His name and generosity in supporting future scientists and natural resources professionals will be remembered and honored. ~ Danielle Y.

 

 From HPA Hawaii --  Students from the 1970's

  •  I think the bottom line about Charlie was his love. He loved his family, his friends, and loved to pursue any and all his many passions!  He was an incredible teacher and coach...patient and always willing to help those in need! My memories of him throughout my high school life were the best memories of that time in my life.  He taught me to focus and work hard, then to play hard, and have fun in all you do!  Again, the bottom line is Love!  Kelly B
  •  I hope you and your family are doing well and coping with your loss. I'm sure your memories of him will provide some solace. He was a larger than life person and he will truly be missed.  Mr. van Riper (as I knew him) was a big influence on me especially from my time spent in his ornithology class at HPA in 1972. Beyond that he was a person I admired greatly. One of my favorite memories of Charles came after HPA when I ran into him while I was studying at UH in 1979. He was working on his dissertation under Dr. Berger whose book we used in the HPA ornithology class. When Charles introduced me to Dr. Berger I was surprised because I was under the impression that most of the textbook authors from my classes were deceased. All I could think to say when Charles introduced us was "I thought you were dead!" Dr. Berger said he got that a lot and Charles said "Smooth, Karr!" Not my best moment but funny now. I got a chance to see his lab and the ‘amakihi he was holding; it was a really inspiring experience. ~  Gary K 

  • I alway hold him as a shining example of the type of teacher we had teaching us science at Hawaii prep. we of course we’re good friends we would go into the outback of the rainforest and take samples of Hawaiian birds blood and see how avian malaria was spreading among the native bird population. Charlie was moving on. I believe back to Colorado State University and I kept telling my father I’m really interested in how these viruses spread and Charlie as you know went on to run the CDC go team for bird flu. ~ Ed Campbell

    Admin