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Thursday, November 15, 2012

RIP Kevin von Finger


To say that El Paso's conservation and environmental community has lost one of its usual suspects would be a colossal understatement. Not just environmentalists but all El Pasoans lost a giant. The word went out by email and Facebook yesterday that Kevin von Finger had died. A neighbor and 911 respondents found Kevin dead in his home where he had lived alone. He was near one of his legendary and much-admired fish tanks.

His bio on the Frontera Land Alliance web site is short and sweet:

"Kevin von Finger is an ecologist and environmental consultant. He currently serves on the City of El Paso's Open Space Advisory Board, the El Paso County Eco-Tourism Committee, the Southwest Environmental Center Board of Directors, the Paso del Norte Watershed Concil Executive Committee, the International Boundary and Water Commission Rio Grande Citizens Forum Board, and the Keystone Heritage Park Board of Directors, where he also serves as the Habitat Committee Chairman and is actively involved in riparian restoration of the Keystone wetlands."

All of the above is not to mention that he was also, of course, on the Board of Directors for the Frontera Land Alliance.

Kevin was an ecologist. He held degrees from Knox College in Illinois and the University of Texas at El Paso. In 2003 he had retired as the Senior Ecologist for the Directorate of Environment at Fort Bliss after nearly 28 years of service. He became self-employed as an environmental consultant. He also authored a number of scientific papers. 



Wherever I went in the El Paso conservation community, there was Kevin. He frequently asked me how I find time to do all that I do. The fact of the matter is that few match or matched Kevin's activism. Kevin was not a complainer, not an arm-chair environmentalist. Kevin was a roll of your sleeves and solve problems scientist. He had a burly, manly kind of guy persona but a real softness when it came to just being a friend. He could talk business. He could also be personal and caring. Many who are active, take charge, get things done kind of people often miss the people in their worlds. Not Kevin. You mattered to him. 

I missed his last annual party. An arduous hike had made me home bound and couch bound that late afternoon. I figured that I wouldn't be missed. I was wrong. The next time Kevin saw me at an Open Space meeting, he said to me: "You missed a good one." 

I'm missing a great one now. 



12 comments:

  1. All of us on the Keystone Committee's, past and present mourn the loss of one of our very best volunteers and advocates.
    He was there several times per day dedicating much of his free time seven days a week to the restoration and maintance of the wetlands and riparian uplands.

    We will celebrate your efforts real soon at Keystone!


    Bernie Sargent

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  2. Kevin's dedication to Keystone was unequalled among the many volunteers. His twice daily visits to Keystone spoke volumes of his committment to his beloved Chihuahua Desert and El Paso.

    He would be humbled by the response to his efforts in work and friendship.

    Kevin, may your eternity be free of salt ceders with desert cactus a plenty!

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  3. Thank you very much Jim for this caring tribute to Kevin! Words can't express the shock and sadness so many feel after hearing that he is no longer with us.
    (I'm so glad I did make it to the annual party for one last hug.)

    Kate Gannon

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  4. Marshall Carter[TrippNovember 15, 2012 at 6:12 PM

    Jim, you have said it all so well for those of us who knew and loved Kevin. I can't take it in that he is gone.

    Bernie, I look forward to commemorating Kevin at Keystone.

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  5. Kevin was my go-to-guy on any environmental questions. He either had the answer or could point me to who did. In addition to those organizations listed above, Kevin was active in Celebration of Our Mountains, State Senator Rodriguez’s Environmental Advisory Board, Franklin Mountains Wilderness Coalition, and the Castner Range Conservation Conveyance Committee. We miss him painfully, but know he would want us to have a beer, and then get back to work enhancing and preserving Mother Nature’s handiwork. - judy

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  6. Kevin was one of the most informed Chihuahuan Desert biologists I have ever met. We worked together with many other scientists at the Big Bend Ranch State Park during the 1970s when the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs conducted research surveys in the area prior to the land being added to the State Park system. Like all of his friends I am greatly saddened by his loss. He will be missed by all of those who knew and worked with him. Rest in Peace Kevin.

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  7. Along with his scientific expertise and dedication to our desert land, Kevin could talk to anyone about pretty much anything. His personality and sense of humor will be missed!

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  8. I am shocked and saddened to hear of Kevin's passing - I just saw him at our last Open Space Advisory Board meeting - Kevin was so full of life! I will miss him - I plan to attend the memorial for Kevin at Ardovino's on 25th Nov - RIP Kevin ~ Bill Addington

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  9. Everyone invited...Tree Planting Memorial in honor of Kevin Von Finger this Saturday, November 18 at 2pm at Keystone Heritage Park. All are welcome, spread the word. Trees and tools will be provided. Please bring your own gloves, hats, water, and whatever else it is you'd like to honor Kevin with :-)

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  10. Everyone invited...Tree Planting Memorial in honor of Kevin Von Finger this Saturday, November 18 at 2pm at Keystone Heritage Park. All are welcome, spread the word. Trees and tools will be provided. Please bring your own gloves, hats, water, and whatever else it is you'd like to honor Kevin with :-)

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  11. Kevin was a great ally in our efforts to restore the Rio Grande and protect Otero Mesa. I've posted a tribute on the Southwest Environmental Center's website http://www.wildmesquite.org/news/el-paso-conservation-champion-and-former-swec-board-member-dies/111612.

    Here's to you buddy. Next tree I plant will be for you.

    Kevin Bixby

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  12. Words cannot begin to say all that Kevin meant to us, it was an honor to know and serve with a man as dedicated and committed as he was to Keystone. I am sure everyone can remember wanting him to give us the abridged version, but now I really wish I could listen to another lengthy expression of his enthusiasm for things natural. Next weeks board meeting will be tough, but he would want us to double up, replace his position the best we can, and go on about saving the things he cared for. Rest in peace buddy.

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