Steve Ashe, Curator of Entomology, University of Kansas

[steve Lingafelter]

Taxacomers,
I'm sorry not to be able to wait for the formal TAXACOM announcement,
but I wanted to echo some of the comments of Rod and Brian.  I was very
fortunate that Steve took me as one of his early students in 1991,
particularly since I wanted to work on Cerambycids.  He was very
supportive of me even though he had the obvious and understandable bias
to Staphylinidae.  Working with him at Kansas was a great pleasure and
the whole experience at KU and positive interactions with his other
students continue to benefit me daily.  It was a horrible shock to
everyone when Byron Alexander died and the news of Steve's passing is
likewise, nearly impossible to believe.  So many of us interacted with
Steve just 10 days ago at the ESA meetings and I was joking with him at
how he manages not to age at all, unlike most of us.  He was his usual
energetic and youthful self.  He gave another great talk there, full of
energy and enthusiasm for beetles that are way too small.  I'm glad many
of us had some great final interactions with Steve.  He will certainly
be missed, and this is a tragic blow to Systematics and Entomology.  He
leaves many great memories for me, though, and a great legacy of work in
Coleoptera.  My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and
colleagues.
--Steve



______________________
Steven W. Lingafelter, Ph. D.
Systematic Entomology Lab, USDA
MRC-I68
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institute PO Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012

Phone: 202-382-1793
Email: slingafe at sel.barc.usda.gov