Temporary closure of Snow Entomological Collections, University of Kansas

[Engel, Michael S]

Fellow Entomologists,
 
It is with tremendous sorrow that we share with you the passing of Dr. James Stephen Ashe, Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Curator-in-Charge of the Division of Entomology of the University of Kansas Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center.  Steve was a warm and generous individual whose sudden departure has left a hole in our hearts.  As the world's authority on the systematics of the staphylinid subfamily Aleocharinae his absence imposes a great cloud over our shared science.  As head of the Division of Entomology, Steve was the heart and soul of our group and a tireless leader in development of the collections and in systematics.  Steve loved life and invested his energies in those things that he treasured the most -- his beetles; the study, promotion, and teaching of systematics and evolution; enjoyment of the outdoors, particularly scuba diving; and most of all, his family.  Charles Darwin wrote, "A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life".  Steve certainly wasted no time in his all too brief life with us.  He is sorely missed.  
 
Services for Steve will be held at 1:30 January 2nd in Lawrence, Kansas.  
 
This is a time of transition for the Snow Entomological Collections not only as a result of the loss of our friend, colleague, and chief curator but also in that the collections are being soon moved to a new facility.  In the coming months the collections and research programs of the Division of Entomology will be transferred to a new facility located on Lawrence's West Campus.  The new facility will have modernized collection maintenance and growth space, new research and preparation laboratories, improved and expanded staff and student offices/labs, as well as other accomodations for the expansion and improved development of systematic entomology at Kansas.  
 
Owing to this move as well as the necessary time for attending to the loss of Dr. Ashe, a general moratorium on outgoing loans and other research material is being imposed.  All materials and specimens are in excellent condition, including the outstanding loans of Dr. Ashe, and are being safely cared for.  Further, we request that no incoming material be sent to the Division for the duration of our move as we are temporarily unable to properly attend to it.  Once we are settled into our new location we shall send out an announcement with our new address and will resume our regular collection activities.  We will simultaneously announce all of these details on our website.  We tentatively expect to resume regular collection activity in August 2006.  At that time we hope that as many of you as have the opportunity will visit us in our new location.  
 
Thank you to all for your condolences as well as your patience while we work through this challenging phase.  
 
All good things to each of you and your families in the coming New Year.  
 
Sincerely,
Michael S. Engel & Zachary H. Falin
 
P.S. Please pass this notice along to all colleagues you believe should be informed.  
 
-----------------------------------------------
Prof. Dr. Michael S. Engel
Division of Entomology
Natural History Museum
1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Dyche Hall
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7163
http://myprofile.cos.com/msengel
msengel at ku.edu