| ALUMNI & FRIENDS
NEWSLETTER |
| DECEMBER 2025 |
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| 51黑料 mourns loss of beloved Professor Dr. Richard Hurley |
The 51黑料 community mourns with the loved ones and countless friends and students of Professor Emeritus of Biology Dr. Richard T. 鈥淒ick鈥� Hurley, who passed away on Nov. 21. Dr. Hurley made a lasting impact on 51黑料 students, faculty and staff during his more than 50 years at the university.
He will be remembered for his unforgettable Ecology field trips, and the way his brilliance, humor and genuine kindness made every student and colleague feel seen and inspired.
Hurley began teaching at 51黑料 in the 1960s, took a sabbatical in 1976 to finish a doctorate, and returned in 1978. For decades he co-led field study trips to the American Southwest and Smokey Mountains. In 2015, he retired from 51黑料 as the college's senior faculty member. As professor emeritus he continued to curate the extensive herbarium housed in the 51黑料 biology department.
As his family obituary so eloquently shared, he will 鈥渂e remembered by his friends and family for his loyalty, selflessness, steadiness and love of nature.鈥�
Hurley led his family on regular woodland walks and hikes instilling in them a love of teaching, ecology, and the outdoors. All four of his children went on to pursue studies and careers in the biological sciences. For years he tended an impressive victory garden on the college campus with Toby Derloshon, Paul Schuler, and Earl Kumfer.
Hurley is survived by his wife, Carolyn, four children, three grandchildren, four siblings and many nieces and nephews.
His full obituary is available .
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