My own experiences with fossil collectors, since the origins of my interest in fossils at age 12, convinced me of the essential role of collectors in the growth of paleontological science. During my 40 years as a faculty member at UC, my appreciation for the significance of close ties between amateur and professional paleontologists has grown and deepened through my association with the Cincinnati Dry Dredgers. I have been exceptionally fortunate to know three recipients of the Strimple Award, all members of DD. Bill White, our 1985 Strimple honoree, was principally recognized for his infectious enthusiasm for fossils, astute collecting abilities, and his generosity in sharing key Cincinnatian fossils that became basis for many graduate dissertations and ongoing research. Steve Felton was honored in 2001 not only for his sharing of rare and significant specimens, but even more so for his extensive knowledge of Cincinnatian fossils and biostratigraphy, and collaborations with paleontologists resulting in coauthored publications—an original citizen scientist. Today it is my privilege to present Jack Kallmeyer of Cincinnati, our third Dry Dredger, as the 2018 recipient of the Strimple Award.
The support and generosity of Dredgers like Bill White and Dan Cooper gave me the opportunity for my first Cincinnatian research into shell pavements as the host for exceptional edrioasteroid echinoderms, followed by the prodigious collecting efforts of Jack with his friend Stuart Wheeler that yielded around 3500 specimens from a single bed. This not only demonstrated the wide areal extent of this “event horizon,” but prompted Jack to compile a detailed morphometric dataset for this population and donation of this significant collection to Cincinnati Museum Center. The same collection was the basis for new insight into strophomenid brachiopod mode of life developed by Ben Dattilo and me. His discoveries of exceptional Ordovician crinoids provided specimens for the thesis research of Greg Schumacher and resulted in joint papers with Steve Donovan and Bill Ausich. More recently, Jack has been a collaborator with Ben Dattilo and Rebeccca Freeman and others on a study of micromorph phosphatic steinkerns and their taphonomic significance for the Cincinnatian and beyond. Jack presented a poster on the enigmatic Solenpora at the recent IGCP 653 meeting on the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event at Ohio University.
On top of this substantial record of fieldwork, astute collecting abilities, and growth as a citizen paleo-scientist, Jack's contributions to paleontological education and outreach, through his leadership of the Dry Dredgers, his superb writing and photographic skills, and contributions to the FOSSIL project are truly unique and exceptional qualifications for the Strimple Award—particularly appropriate when the Paleontological Society is making strong efforts to develop and improve the connections between so-called amateur paleontologists and “us professionals” (referred to as “profusionals” by Bill White). Jack has been Dry Dredgers President since 1988, and thankfully we have no term limits for that office. Under his leadership the organization has thrived and developed new programs and initiatives that keep the Dredgers among the world's most prominent amateur paleontology groups. Among his many achievements for the Dredgers are his editorship of the monthly Bulletin, including his insightful and often critical book reviews, establishing a Research Award program benefiting students and researchers, and leading a joint sponsorship of the annual Cincinnati GeoFair with the Cincinnati Mineral Society, the proceeds of which fund our research awards and support the paleontology graduate program at UC. Most significantly perhaps, have been Jack's contributions to the FOSSIL Project and NAPCs in 2009 and 2014. Jack represented the Dry Dredgers at FOSSIL Mini Conferences in Florida, Maryland, and Texas and was the prime mover for the FOSSIL Mini Field Conference held in Cincinnati in June, 2016, including planning and organization and a presentation on amateur-professional collaboration, highlighting the work of the Dredgers. For the upcoming 2019 NAPC in Riverside, Jack and I are co-conveners of a symposium on amateur-professional research collaboration, for which we enthusiastically urge your participation!
President Miller, members of the Paleontological Society, and guests, Jack Kallmeyer is to me, an outstanding exemplar of the citizen scientist and amateur-professional collaboration in paleontological research and public education for the 21st Century, and it is my great honor and privilege to present him to you for the 2018 Strimple Award of the Paleontological Society.
November 4, 2018
