Travis Audubon lost two incredible friends and members earlier this summer, both after long battles with cancer. We are grateful for the time we had with each of them and send our love and condolences to their families.
Dr. Peter Beck, 59, was an inspiring educator and enthusiastic Travis Audubon Master Birder who passed away on June 22, 2023. A native of Southern California, Peter was educated at Occidental College, Yale, and Indiana University. Peter taught undergraduates in the Environmental Science and Policy program and graduate students in the Professional Science Masters program in Environmental Management and Sustainability at St. Edward’s University. He often invited TAS staff to come speak in his class, and his students’ passion for birding (inspired by Peter) was always a highlight. He did field work in Kenya, Uganda, and Panama, and led student groups to Costa Rica to study tropical ecosystems. Closer to home, Peter was a regular on field trips at Commons Ford and was also involved with Sustainable Austin and the Sierra Club. Peter was a lifelong nature lover with an adventurous spirit, traveling the world to hike, teach, study, and take photos of wild animals and birds. Birding was a favorite hobby that allowed him to enjoy just about anywhere, saying “there is always a new bird to see.” You can read more in his obituary and on his page at St. Edwards.
Susan Rieff, 67, was an accomplished civil servant and environmentalist who passed away on July 6, 2023. She served on the Travis Audubon Board of Directors (2016-2018) and Advisory Board (2018-2023). An Arkansan by birth, she ended up in Texas after being inspired to study environmental science at TCU and public policy at the LBJ School at UT Austin. Susan served as the first Director of Natural Resource Protection at Texas Parks and Wildlife, as Assistant Commissioner under Texas Agricultural Commissioner Jim Hightower, as Director of Environmental Policy for Governor Ann Richards, and as Policy Director for Land Stewardship at the National Wildlife Federation. She served as Executive Director for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center from 2004 to 2015, and under her leadership, the Center became part of The University of Texas at Austin in 2006. Susan was also involved in endangered species issues during her time with Governor Richards and helped to protect the Golden-cheeked warblers and Black-capped vireos we still enjoy today. You can read more in her interview with the Texas Legacy Project and watch a video of her profile as an inaugural recipient of the Terry Hershey award from Audubon Texas.
