Koelz, Walter, 1895-1989

Walter Norman Koelz (1895-1989), zoologist and botanist, was born in Waterloo, Michigan, on September 11, 1895. He received an A.B. degree from Olivet College in 1915, and his A.M. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan in 1917 and 1920, respectively. In 1919, Koelz held the position of Curator of Fishes at the Museum of Zoology at Michigan. From 1919 to 1927, and again in 1930, Koelz worked for the United States Bureau of Fisheries. From 1935 to 1941, and from 1947 to 1949, Koelz was a plant explorer for the United States Department of Agriculture. In 1956, he was awarded the Meyer Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the world of Agriculture. He collected nearly 30,000 specimens of birds for the University of Michigan's zoology museum. He also collected approximately 30,000 plants for the University of Michigan's Herbarium. He died on September 24, 1989.

Smithsonian Institution Archives Field Book Project: Person : Description : rid_442_pid_EACP439

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