IN MEMORIAM WILMER W. TANNER (1909–2011)

IN MEMORIAM WILMER W. TANNER (1909–2011)

Dr. Wilmer W. Tanner passed away 28 October 2011 surrounded by his family. Almost two years ago, he was honored on his 100th birthday by family, friends, and colleagues for his ethical hard work and contribution to all of our lives as well as the many lives he has touched over the course of his long and productive career. In 1934, Wilmer chose wisely and married Helen Brown. His wife, Helen Tanner, of 60 years, preceded him in death. He then married Otella Tyndal Devey Tanner who passed away in 1999. His parents, two brothers, Ray and Vasco, and two sisters, Lura and Jean, also preceded him. Two sons and a daughter, Dr. Lynn Tanner, David W. Tanner, and Mary Ann Barnett, as well as ten grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, survive him.

Wilmer was born on 17 December 1909, in Sanpete County, Utah, to John Myron and Lois Ann Stevens Tanner. He received a BS and MA degree from Brigham Young University in Zoology. He taught at Provo High School then obtained his PhD in herpetology from the University of Kansas. He then returned to BYU as a faculty member in 1949. Professor Tanner was focused on research throughout his life with many scientific publications. His graduate students were treated as family members and were all deeply embraced and cared for by this world-renowned naturalist and teacher. The noble and principled example Wilmer maintained over his 101 years generated great intellectual and social benefits to academia. His singular contribution to his profession has been impressive.

>From 1960 to 1967, Wilmer edited the journal Herpetologica and succeeded in saving its host organization, the Herpetologists League, from financial collapse. Wilmer was also heavily involved in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, was appointed in 1961 (and reappointed in 1966) as secretary-treasurer of the Utah Academy, and elected president of same in 1969 (serving through 1971).

Professor Wilmer Tanner was appointed as the curator of the BYU Life Science Museum in 1972 and quickly began working towards a building for the University's collection. He worked closely with Monte L. Bean and convinced him to fund the construction of a Life Science Museum building. Monte Bean also decided to donate his extensive trophy collection to the University to augment its life science collection. Wilmer oversaw the construction of the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum and was quite pleased with the results. Wilmer also worked diligently to create an endowment for the museum. The Bean Museum opened its doors in 1978. At the time of his death, Wilmer was looking forward to the upcoming ground breaking on the expansion of the Museum and was actively engaged in writing and publishing family and museum history. Wilmer set a high bar. The last several years of his life were lived at the Courtyard at Jamestown.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Monte L. Bean Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.