Daniel Austin

In Memory of Daniel Frank Austin May 18, 1943 — January 20, 2015 Dan Austin was called by many names during his lifetime, including Dr. Plant, Mr. Morning Glory, Mr. Convolvulaceae, and A Voice Crying in the Wilderness. He was also known as professor, naturalist, swamp lover, desert lover, dog lover, author, and friend — all apt titles. I, Sandra Austin, Dan's wife for 47 years, have my own favorite descriptive name for him. I originally heard this name in Brazil in 1969 on our first big collecting trip to the Amazon basin. Dan was studying a few genera of large woody lianas in the Morning Glory family for his PhD dissertation. We were excited to have a chance to meet the widow of a well known Brazilian plant collector, Adolpho Ducke. This bright-eyed, enthused older woman happily described some of her trips with her husband. But instead of using his name, she constantly referred to him as "Meu Grande Amor." I thought it was a beautiful expression and also an accurate representation of my feelings toward my husband of about a year and a half at that time. Over the years I have often thought of that phrase, although I have not routinely used it in casual conversation, as she did. Now I know that as long as I live, I will always remember Dan as Meu Grande Amor — My Great Love. If so desired, memorials in Dan's name may be made to: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona 85743.