Network News
In Memoriam: Susan Rae Crispin, 1956–2009
Sue Crispin
1956 - 2009
It is with great sadness we note the passing of Sue Crispin, a scientist and visionary leader in the natural heritage network. Sue died on November 15 after a six-year battle with breast cancer. She had served as Director of the Montana Natural Heritage Program since 1998.
Born in Michigan, Sue received undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology and botany from Michigan State University. In 1980 she hired on as the first botanist of the new Michigan Natural Features Inventory; she became coordinator of the program in 1982. Her predecessor at MNFI, Larry Master, noted that her “…remarkable sense of the right course of action when faced with a challenge” would serve her well.
To our fortune, Sue’s network leadership expanded when she helped establish programs in Canada, and then created a new Nature Conservancy program focused on the Great Lakes Ecoregion. That program served as the precursor to ecoregional planning in the Great Lakes Basin.
Since 1998 Sue served as Director of the Montana Natural Heritage Program, where she continued her tradition of encouraging exploration and innovation, both within her program and throughout the network. She leaves behind a rich legacy that spans North America.
Sue found her life's work in developing, guiding and supporting people and programs that focused on biodiversity conservation and stewardship of the natural world. She found her passion and solace in the natural world, botanizing, birding, rock hounding or photographing the beauty of her environment. It was in nature that she was truly at home.
One of Sue's hundreds of photographs documenting the species, and beauty, of the natural world. (Photo: Indian paintbrush; Sue Crispin.)
Sue is survived by her life partner Randi Levin; parents Larry and Jeanne Crispin; sister Sherri Crispin and her partner, Rick Pearson; and family, friends and colleagues in Montana and across the country.
Donations may be made to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society or to The Nature Conservancy in Montana directed to the Montana Natural Heritage Program.