A Tribute to Richard A. Dolbeer: scientist, innovator, manager, and mentor

Richard A. Dolbeer retired in September 2008 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services (WS) program. Over the last 30 years, his research has encompassed the areas of population dynamics of pest species, economic assessment of losses, development of practical management techniques for resolving human–wildlife conflicts, and integrated pest management programs in the United States and abroad (Africa, Asia, Latin America). Most notably, he is one of a few individuals who recognized, early on, the cost in lives and property due to wildlife collisions with aircraft and that much of that cost is avoidable through the application of findings wrought by solid science. For the last 20 years, he has served in the forefront of research, management, and policy development to reduce wildlife hazards to aircraft