Individual Details

Charles Milton Kirkpatrick

(1 Jan 1915 - 9 Nov 2003)

Charles Milton Kirkpatrick was born in 1915. Charles married Gail F. Dodge. Charles was a Professor of Wildlife Biology at Purdue University.

There were two (2) children born of the marriage.

Journal and Courier, Lafayette, Indiana, November 12, 2003: Charles M. Kirkpatrick, 88, of 2741 N. Salisbury, WL [West Lafayette], died at 4:05 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003, in Westminster Village. Born Jan. 1, 1915, in New Point, he grew up in Greensburg, and graduated from Greensburg High School in 1933. He graduated from Purdue University School of Science, with distinction, in 1938. He married Gail Fleming Dodge on Sept. 10, 1939. She survives.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was a zoology teaching assistant at University of Wisconsin under Aldo Leopold, an early advocate for wilderness preservation. He joined the Purdue University forestry and conservation faculty in 1941. He received his Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin in 1943. During World War II he was stationed at the Fort Knox Armored Medical Research Lab assisting medical doctors in studies of troop physiology in relation to their weapons, clothing and environment. He co-authored a number of technical reports to the quartermaster general.

In 1960, he became full professor at Purdue. He collaborated with the Indiana Division of Fish and Game in research physiology and ecology of Indiana wildlife species. As a professor, he developed individualized programs for outstanding undergraduates.

His projects included investigations of rare species in Alaska to establish baselines for population numbers. In 1966, while on sabbatical, he collaborated with the Australian CSIRO Wildlife Division on European rabbit research.

From 1958-1961, he was editor of The Journal of Wildlife Management, and held a number of committee appointments and refereed papers after he retired.

In 1953, he became permanent chairman of the selection committee for the Chase S. Osborn Wildlife Award established by the late Purdue University president Edward C. Elliott, and received the award himself at retirement.

He was a charter member of the West Lafayette Federated Church, serving in various offices until the time of his death. He volunteered with the International Center and Food Pantry, and had been active in the Ninth Street Hill Historic Neighborhood Association.

Mr. Kirkpatrick was a member of the Indiana Pioneers' Society, his paternal ancestors settled in Decatur County in 1820, and was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

He was an honorary member of the National Wildlife Society, and the Indiana chapter. He was also a member of Sigma Xi, Gamma Alpha, Society of American Mammalogist, Wilson Ornithological Society, Indiana Audubon Society, of which he was past president, National Wildlife Federation, Wilderness Society, Indiana Historical Association, and Tippecanoe County Historical Association. He received the Indiana's Outstanding Conservationist award and an award for 25 years of service to Indiana Conservation.

Surviving with his wife are two daughters, Nina Beth Kirkpatrick Presti of Lafayette and Cheryl Kirkpatrick of Millville, Del.

Events

Birth1 Jan 1915New Point, Decatur Co., Indiana
Marriage10 Sep 1939Gail Fleming Dodge
Death9 Nov 2003West Lafayette, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana
BurialCremated

Families

SpouseGail Fleming Dodge (1915 - 2008)
ChildNina Beth Kirkpatrick (1942 - )
ChildCheryl Kirkpatrick (1945 - 2008)
FatherClifford Pearl Kirkpatrick (1885 - 1961)
MotherGladys Lucille Feaster (1891 - 1975)
SiblingJohn William Kirkpatrick (1911 - 1988)
SiblingRoss Pierson Kirkpatrick (1923 - 1980)

Endnotes