Background
Klimstra, Willard David was born on December 25, 1919 in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Paul D. and Jessica Klimstra.
researcher science administrator educator emeritus zoology educator
Klimstra, Willard David was born on December 25, 1919 in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Paul D. and Jessica Klimstra.
Associate of Arts, Blackburn Junior College, 1939. Bachelor, Maryville College, 1941. Postgraduate, University North Carolina, 1942.
Master of Science, Iowa State University, 1948. Doctor of Philosophy, Iowa State University, 1949.
Foreman of consolidation, National Munitions Corporation, Carrboro, North Carolina, 1942-1945;
research fellow, then research associate, Iowa Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, 1946-1949;
assistant professor zoology, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, 1949-1952;
associate professor, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, 1952-1959;
professor, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, 1959-1983;
Distinguished professor zoology, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, 1983-1985, emeritus, 1985;
acting department chairman, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, May-September, 1961, June-August, 1964;
director graduate studies in zoology, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, 1973-1983;
acting director Coal Extraction and Utilization Research Center, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, 1976-1977;
director Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois U., Carbondale, 1951-1987. Consultant Shawnee National Forest, 1956-1987, Illinois Institute Environment Quality, 1970-1978, Illinois Department Conservation, 1956-1987, Illinois Department Business and Economics Development, 1972-1978, Illinois Abandoned Mined Lands Reclamation Council, 1979-1988, National Key Deer Wildlife Refuge, 1970-1993, others. Member conservation committee Illinois Superintendent Public Instruction, 1956-1970.
Board directors Illinois Prairie Chicken Foundation, 1958-1968. Chairman Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, 1964-1969, 71-79, consultant, 1978-1983. Member stripmine reclamation Argonne National Laboratory, 1972-1974.
Member Governor's Study Commission Evaluation Stripmine Reclamation in Illinois, 1966-1968, Illinois Advisory Council Reclamation, 1976-1987, Illinois Endangered Species Board, 1973-1987, Illinois Energy Resources Commission, 1979-1981. Member fish and wildlife and parks national science advising committee to Secretary Department Interior, 1975-1977, member study task force United States National Wildlife Refuge System, 1977-1978. Member executive steering committee Sustained Funding for Fish and Wildflie Research.at College and Universities, 1979-1987.
Member Illinois Wildlife Habitat Commission, 1983-1985. Major advisor 140 master and 17 doctoral students.
Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, Herpetologist League, Illinois Academy of Sciences. Member American Institute Biological Sciences, American Society Mammalogists, Ecological Society of America, National Pest Control Association (consultant 1966-1989), National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Nature Conservancy, National Geography Society, Soil Conservation Society of America, Wildlife Society (honorary life, Professional award merit Illinois chapter 1984, Outstanding Book award 1987, Aldo Leopold award 1988), Wilson Ornithological Society, National Wildlife Refuge Association, New York Academy of Sciences, Gamma Sigma Delta (literary award 1985), Golden Key (honorary).
Son of Paul D. and Jessica K. M. Miriam Brown; children: David Eugene, Kay Klimstra Sweetingham, William B.