On the death of our Honorary Member Robert E. Ricklefs
The Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft mourns the loss of its Honorary Member Prof. Dr. Robert E. Ricklefs. The internationally renowned ornithologist and ecologist died on 7 June 2026, one day after his 83rd birthday.
Robert Ricklefs was one of the most influential ecologists of his generation. In a scientific career spanning more than five decades, he made fundamental contributions to evolutionary ecology, island biogeography and biodiversity research. Birds were at the centre of much of his work. Among other things, he studied the development and energetics of birds, the evolution of their life histories, the structure of ecological communities and the importance of parasites and pathogens – especially avian malaria.
After studying at Stanford University, Ricklefs received his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in 1967. This was followed by research stays at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and 27 years at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1995 he moved to the University of Missouri–St. Louis, where he worked for more than two decades as Curators' Distinguished Professor of Biology.
His textbooks "Ecology" and "The Economy of Nature" shaped generations of students worldwide. He received numerous major awards for his scientific life's work. In 2009 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, and in 2015 he received the prestigious Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology.
Just as important to him as his research were the people he trained and mentored. During his career he supervised 47 doctoral students. Colleagues and former students remember an exceptionally intelligent, warm-hearted and generous scientist who readily shared his time and ideas with others. His motto in life, adopted from his father, was: "Suave in modo, fortiter in re" – gentle in manner, resolute in deed.
Robert E. Ricklefs had been an Honorary Member of the Deutsche Ornithologische Gesellschaft since 2010. The DOG will honour his memory.
Dr. Dorit Visbeck-Liebers
President of the DOG