Neil Franckle
Lance, thank you for contacting me. My condolences to you and the rest of Ken's family.
Ken was a pioneer and a giant in ecology greatly to the benefit of Florida where his skills and vision are needed more than ever.
I first met Ken in 1958 when I had a job as a "helper" at the Florida DNR lab in St. Pete. He was a wellspring of knowledge and original thought. He introduced me to many exciting ideas and at least one book I remember well, "Man the Unknown" by Alexis Carrel.
During that summer, I assisted him in an ecological survey of the entire shoreline of Tampa Bay. We mostly waded while DNR Agent Rudy Guerra followed nearby in a boat. Ken had an encyclopedic knowledge of the mangroves, fish and birds of the Bay ecosystem.
His interests ranged far beyond biology including music, art, sports and farming macadamia trees. He had a passionate devotion to his family.
I will miss him as friend, mentor and exemplary man.
Neil Franckle