Instead of a standard obituary, our tribute to Wayne takes a somewhat unorthodox approach just as Wayne could be somewhat unorthodox. How many people do you know who sit on their front porch serenading neighbors with Cajun songs while playing his accordion? They probably didn’t realize they were being regaled with songs by the one and only “Squeezedaddy” (aka Professor Wayne Leibel) of Snapperhead Zydeco band fame, a Cajun swamp pop zydeco band. As Wayne said about his musical side gig versus being a tenured Biology professor at Lafayette College by day: “I’m on a mission from God to prove that this instrument [the accordion] is worth something!”
Wayne’s life was filled with contrasts and creativity on many fronts. We begin with Wayne’s own words written in Venezuela on January 6, 1997:
Lost in the stars, lost in the ozone, gone.
Where do souls go.
Where do souls go that you need back.
Although Wayne was a biologist, teacher, musician, an avid tropical fish hobbyist, and aquarium historian, most people only knew him in one or two of those domains. So the totality of Wayne was not visible to many. And that was like being close to a bright star and not realizing the star is part of a complex constellation.
But he was a space traveler who easily moved among the stars—among all those domains. The common thread was his love of people and of critters. Wayne probably didn’t fully know the profound effect he had on uncountable numbers of people through his freely-shared knowledge, and the unwavering attention he gave you in a conversation. And his effect on scores of people with the sheer sense of curiosity, dedication, and even mischief that he brought to his many endeavors.
Some people reading this might be surprised by Wayne’s more ethereal perspective in the words above. And some people may not know of his many down-to-earth accomplishments highlighted here in this partial, merely representative list:
* B. A., Dartmouth College; PhD in Biology, Yale University.
* Chair, Lafayette College Biology Department; Kreider Professor of Biology.
* Active member, American Cichlid Association (ACA): Fellow; recipient, Jordan Retrospective Lifetime Achievement Award (ACA’S highest honor); member and Chair, Board of Trustees; editor, Buntebarsche Bulletin.
* Contributor/columnist/photograph contributor, technical editor, and editor of innumerable scientific and hobbyist publications, including the much-loved “Wayne’s World” column in Tropical Fish Hobbyist, and “Fish-Kidz” column for kids in Aquarium Fish Magazine (AFM).
* Speaker/presenter at innumerable conferences, workshops, and local societies.
* Various other recognition and awards, including the Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies (NEC) Betty Mueller Lifetime Achievement award for dedication to the NEC and to the hobby.
Wayne was raised in West Hartford, CT, the only child of Hilda and Archie (Arthur) Leibel. But Wayne made no secret of the fact that he was adopted. And near the end of his birth mother’s life (Jackie), he found her and had a reunion that meant the world to him. However, Hilda and Archie were always mom and dad, and he was grateful for the gifts of love, caring, and education they gave him.
Wayne was born on August 5, 1951 and died at home of a heart attack on May 16, 2021, about three months shy of his 70th birthday. He left behind an eclectic set of cousins, including the Edelstein’s, Kraus’s, and Saul’s in the United States, and Mariana Spravkin in Argentina, as well as students, colleagues, and friends too numerous to count.
Wayne’s ashes will be spread per his wishes.
A gathering to honor Wayne is being planned at Lafayette College in Easton, PA for sometime mid-August to early September 2021. Watch this space for details.
We all love you, Wayne. You will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace.
LAFAYETTE COLLEGE INVITATION
The Lafayette College Biology Department invites you to share your recollections and memories to honor and celebrate the life and career of our colleague, mentor, and friend, Professor Wayne Leibel.
WHEN: Friday September 17th, 2021 beginning at 7:00 pm EST.
WHERE: Zoom Live (see link below)
SIMULTANEOUS IN-PERSON GATHERING: Rockwell Integrated Science Center rooms 260 & 262. An opportunity for in-person shared remembrances during and after the Zoom with refreshments after the Zoom. To attend in person, RSVP to Dr Elaine Reynolds,
reynolde@lafayette.edu BY SEPTEMBER 6th, 2021.
You can join us via Zoom or in person as you prefer. If you plan to Zoom only, you need not RSVP, just use the Zoom link below to attend. (Be sure you have the most current version of Zoom on your device.)
If you would care to share a brief (<3 minute) sentiment or tribute, please let Dr Nancy Waters know BY SEPTEMBER 6, 2021, watersn@lafayette.edu; this will allow us to plan for including you in the program.
If you cannot attend but would like to offer a written reflection, please send it via email to John Drummond, drummonj@lafayette.edu BY SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 to request it be included.
If you wish, you may donate to the Professor Wayne Leibel Memorial Prize Fund, building towards establishing an endowment for supporting students in perpetuity. (See link below.)
We hope you can participate, and we look forward to seeing you as we commemorate Wayne’s array of diverse contributions.
ZOOM:
https://lafayette.zoom.us/j/98384387260
DONATE:
https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1699/interior.aspx?sid=1699&gid=2&pgid=446&cid=1122&dids=116&bledit=1&sort=1
