William Shiffer Benninghoff

Background

Benninghoff, William Shiffer was born on March 23, 1918 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. Son of William Nelson and Edith Esther (Shiffer) Benninghoff.

Education

Bachelor of Science magna cum laude, Harvard, 1940. AM, Harvard University, 1942. Doctor of Philosophy, Harvard University, 1948.

Career

Botanist, United States Geological Survey, Washington, 1948-1957; chief section, United States Geological Survey (Alaska terrain and permafrost section), 1953-1957; member of faculty, University of Michigan, 1957-1993; associate professor botany, University of Michigan, 1957-1960; professor, University of Michigan, 1960-1988; professor emeritus, University of Michigan, 1988-1993; professor, University of Michigan Biological Station, Douglas Lake, summers 1957, 61, 63, 66; palynologist, Great Lakes Research division Institute Science and Technology, 1960-1963; professor, assistant director, Botanical Gardens, 1965-1966; professor, curator, Botanical Gardens, 1966-1993; acting director, Botanical Gardens, 1975; director, Botanical Gardens, 1977-1986. Member of committee on polar research, panel on biological and medical science National Academy.Scis., 1962-1975, chairman, 1966-1971, 1973-1975, member polar research board, 1975-1977. Chairman aerobiology panel United States National Committee for International Biological Program, 1967, director aerobiology program, 1968-1972.

Convenor International Biological Program aerobiology working group, 1968-1974. Member working group on biology Science Committee on Antarctic Research, 1968-1971, 74-82, chairman, 1974-1980. Secretary commission on aerobiology International Union Biological Sciences, 1973-1982.

Convenor 1st Gordon Research Conference on Aerobiology, 1980.

Achievements

• William Shiffer Benninghoff has been listed as a noteworthy Educator, plant ecologist by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Served to lieutenant Commander, United States Naval Reserve, 1942-1946, European Theatre of Operations, PTO. Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science, Geological Society of America, Arctic Institute North America (governor 1957-1963, 66-71, chairman research committee 1964-1966, vice chairman board 1967-1968). Member American Polar Society (board governors 1968-1993), Botanical Society of America, American Society Limnology and Oceanography, Ecological Society of America, International Society Plant Geography and Ecology (vice president 1963-1980), International Association for Aerobiology (founding president 1974, honorary member 1982-1993), Sigma Xi. Clubs: Explorers (New York City).

Cosmos (Washington).

Connections

Married Gladys Helen Kunst, April 19, 1941 (divorced 1968). Children: Valerie Anne, Jonathan William. Married Anne Louise Stevenson, June 14, 1969.

Father:

William Nelson Benninghoff

Mother:

Edith Esther (Shiffer) Benninghoff

Spouse:

Gladys Helen Kunst

Spouse:

Anne Louise Stevenson

child:

Valerie Anne Benninghoff

child:

Jonathan William Benninghoff