Alumni Updates
John Alves, 1980
Submitted: September 15, 2023 John has retired after a 35-year career as a Colorado Parks and Wildlife fisheries biologist. He managed sport fisheries and native fish, including Rio Grande cutthroat trout. He served as an officer with the Colorado/Wyoming chapter of the American Fisheries Society. He plans to spend more time with his daughter and grandsons, go fishing, and travel to Alaska.
Iris Luana Salamanca, 2018
Submitted: August 16, 2023 Iris had the opportunity to serve as a Biological Technician, Public Information Officer, Resource Advisor, Natural Resource and Education Specialist and obtained her red card, allowing her to assist on four wildfires and two prescribed burns this year alone for the Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office in Colorado. After 4 years, Iris is transferring over to the U.S. Forest Service White River, where she will continue to grow as a Natural Resource Specialist and continue assisting with wildfires in various roles.
Rick Williams, 1977
Submitted: August 10, 2023 Ricky retired in 2022 after a 45-year career as a wildlife biologist that began with waterfowl research for CDFG and USFWS, including a memorable stint chasing then-endangered Aleutian Canada Geese across their California wintering grounds. From 1980-2022, he worked as a terrestrial biologist and program manager in the private sector, primarily focused on water and energy projects in California and other western states. He credits the late Humboldt professors, Drs. Stan (Doc) Harris and Charles F. (Chuck) Yocum for guiding him into career-long service with The Wildlife Society-Western Section, including terms as President and Representative to the TWS National Council.
Rick Williams, 1977
Submitted: August 31, 2022 Rick Williams ('77, Wildlife) retired in July 2022 after a 45-year career that began with the USFWS and CDFW. He transitioned through PG&E and various consulting firms and then culminated with a return to PG&E in 2015. He has had career-long involvement with The Wildlife Society (TWS), including service as President of the TWS-Western Section (TWS-WS) representing wildlife professionals in California, Nevada, and Hawaii, and the TWS Executive Council. He attributes his long involvement with TWS to the mentorship of former (now deceased) Humboldt professors, Dr. Chuck Yocum and Dr. Stan (Doc) Harris, true giants of the Wildlife Profession.
Sanford "Sandy" Wilbur, 1963
Submitted: March 23, 2022
Sanford "Sandy" Wilbur, columnist for "The Lumberjack" 1960-1962, is at work on a new novel, tentatively titled "Vic and Greg: a Wildlife Refuge Romance." Sample chapters are at: http://www.writing-it-down.com/vic-and-greg/
Sandy's essay "Losing Lumberjack Football" includes some early history of race relations that Humboldters may not know about:
http://www.writing-it-down.com/Society/losing-lumberjack-football.html
Sanford "Sandy" Wilbur, 1963
Submitted: March 9, 2022
Sanford "Sandy" Wilbur, columnist for "The Lumberjack" 1960-1962, is at work on a new novel, tentatively titled "Vic and Greg: a Wildlife Refuge Romance." Sample chapters are at: http://www.writing-it-down.com/vic-and-greg/
Sandy's essay "Losing Lumberjack Football" includes some early history of race relations that Humboldters may not know about:
http://www.writing-it-down.com/Society/losing-lumberjack-football.html
Jane Bardolf, 2001
Submitted: November 27, 2021
After 35 years of public service including U.S. Peace Corps, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Finally 20 years with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Jane retired in April after working 6 years at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Frank Scherf, 1985
Submitted: November 3, 2021
Frank Scherf has retired at long last!!! 35years at Snohomish County, WA as a Biologist, Senior planner, and shoreline planner. He worked for the USFS in Challis Idaho before that & after Humboldt. Scherf is now in the Rogue River Valley Oregon and loving it! Word of advise Scherf says, "Get a pension and an investment for retirement! Live good and respect the environment. Don't forget the bud that got us here."
Jason Storlie, 2007
Submitted: October 6, 2021
In January of 2021, Jason began a new position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Deputy Project Leader of Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Previous positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service include Wildlife Biologist with the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Manager of Bitter Creek and Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuges.
Eugene Charles Justus (Charlie), 1989
Submitted: August 7, 2021
Justus has Retired, after a 30 year career as a Conservation Officer with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. He retired at the rank of Regional Conservation Officer (Enforcement Manager/Lieutenant).
Justus received his BS in wildlife management in 1989. The broad educational experiences gained at HSU was a perfect fit for a career as a Conservation officer/game warden.
I'm filling my retirement time by working part time as a marine deputy for the Canyon County Sheriff, a small group leader at the local Celebrate Recovery, and documenting Herps on iNaturalist and my YouTube channel.
Raymond ("Jay") Joseph Bogiatto II, 1977
Submitted: July 14, 2021
Jay died of brain cancer July 4th. He was so proud of his HSU experience and education. Here are links to the obituary and a write-up by CSU, Chico.
https://today.csuchico.edu/fond-farewell-jay-bogiatto/
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicoer/name/raymond-bogiatto-obit…
Eugene "Charlie" Justus, 1989
Submitted: July 8, 2021
Charlie Justus has Retired from Idaho Fish and Game. After 30 years as a Conservation Officer, finishing his career as a Regional Conservation Officer (Lieutenant) Charlie has retired. He is working part time this summer as a Marine Deputy for the Canyon County Sheriff's Department while he figures out his next pursuit, or vacation or ... He is looking forward to spending time with his wife Sue (wildlife class of 89) exploring.
Sara Dykman, 2008
Submitted: February 12, 2021
Dykman's first book 'Bicycling with Butterflies' has been published. She describes it as part science, part adventure, part love letter to nature. It tells the story of her 10,201 mile bicycle adventure following the monarchs from Mexico to Canada and back in 2017. Those interested can learn more about her book at https://www.workman.com/products/bicycling-with-butterflies. They can also learn more about her organization and tour at www.beyondabook.org. If anyone is interested in reading and reviewing, some Advanced Reader Copies will be available soon.
Dan Severson, 1985, 1987
Submitted: February 12, 2021
Severson spent 39 years working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, on eight national wildlife refuges in California, Oregon, South Dakota, Kansas, and North Dakota as Wildlife Biologist, Asst. Refuge Manager and the last 12 years as a project leader over a complex of refuges and wetland management districts in North Dakota. He retired January 1, 2021 and will spend retirement golfing, hunting, fishing, and woodworking. He lives in Jamestown, North Dakota and has three daughters and three grandchildren.
Don Treasure, 1974
Submitted: December 11, 2020
Don Treasure spent 37 years working for and with the federal government as a Biological Technician, Environmental Protection Specialist, and Environmental Specialist. He is now fully retired.
Daniel Zevin, 1988
Submitted: May 17, 2020
After graduating, Daniel Zevin's, Wildlife, 1988, career took many twists & turns. He is currently getting back to his wildlife roots assisting UC Berkeley's Fung Fellowship launch a new, biodiversity-focused Conservation + Tech undergraduate training program. Zevin also serves as an Advisory Group member for the Climate Readiness Institute, and previously spent three years as Program Director at NatureBridge, five years as Project Manager/Associate Zoologist with The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and two years as a Research Assistant supporting captive breeding programs at the LA Zoo. There's also an 11 year career at UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory, plus two more gigs that just won't fit :). What a long strange trip it's been!
Leonard A Brennan, 1984
Submitted: December 21, 2019
Leonard A Brennan, Wildlife, 1984, is in his 19th year as the C.C. Winn Endowed Chair for Quail Research at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University - Kingsville. His seventh book, Quantitative Analyses in Wildlife Science, was published by Johns Hopkins University Press this fall, and was co-edited with another Humboldt Alumnus, Dr. Bruce Marcot.
David J. Lenhart, 1956
Submitted: October 14, 2019
David J. Lenhart, Wildlife Management, 56, passed away on February 7, 2019 at the age of 88 in Portland, Oregon. Upon graduating Lenhart started his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Umatilla, Oregon working with waterfowl. He later transferred to the Division of River Basin Studies, in Portland, Oregon. During his career he worked on projects in Washington, Oregon and California. He later served as Branch Chief of Environmental Contaminants in the USFWS’ Regional Office in Portland. He retired after 33 years of dedicated service.
John Swancara, 1982
Submitted: September 24, 2019
John Swancara, Wildlife, 1982, has spent over 30 years pioneering reverse osmosis water treatment systems for homes and commercial applications. He pioneered small bottled water plants for small businesses. Currently he is the lead sales engineer for American Beer Equipment in Lincoln, Nebraska designing micro-breweries. John has authored several articles on water treatment.
Joyce Schlachter, 1994
Submitted: August 8, 2019
Joyce Schlachter, Wildlife, 1994, has retired after 26 years with the Federal government, working as a wildlife biologist. Joyce is enjoying her freedom and continues to volunteer with Project Wildlife, rehabilitating bats. Joyce says "thanks HSU for the best years of my life!"
