The death of a pioneer
Reading the obituaries Sunday, I learned of the death of Dr. Loren Hill, retired professor of zoology at the University of Oklahoma.
I never met Dr. Hill, but I have met his son, Kenyon, a pro bass angler on the Elite Series tour. Kenyon is one of the nicest people I have met since taking over the outdoors beat for The Oklahoman six years ago and I’m sure much of the credit for that belongs to his father.
Kenyon won the Pride of Georgia Elite Series bass tournament earlier this year and dedicated to his father.
In case you are not familiar with Dr. Hill, the following is a portion from his obituary.
“Both the sport fishing industry and the scientific community lost an innovative thinker Thursday, July 17, 2008 when Dr. Loren Hill of Norman passed away following a long illness. Dr. Hill retired as professor of zoology at the University of Oklahoma following 33 years in the classroom and 30 years as director of the University of Oklahoma Biological Station on Lake Texoma. He also served as chairman of the Zoology Department at OU. .
”He authored or coauthored more than 50 scientific papers and articles. Hill was a passionate sport fisherman whose research is credited with bridging the gap between academic science and the sport fishing industry. In many ways he pioneered the union of science and sport fishing through his research on sight and olfactory abilities among various fish species. His work led to the development of several lures and fishing aids like acidity monitors, scents and color selectors for several major sport fishing manufacturers. Dr. Hill was a gifted track athlete, avid quail hunter, classic country music aficionado and expert taxidermist specializing in birds.”
Earlier this year I fished with a native Pennsylvanian who moved to Oklahoma and enrolled at the University of Oklahoma just so he could could study under Dr. Hill.
I’m sorry I never got the chance to meet him.
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