To all of Conch-L:

          Sadly we must report that Bertram (Bert) C. Draper passed away on
7 August, 2000 at age 96.  Bert was a retired maintenance training
supervisor with United Airlines until his retirement in the 1960's.  He was
best known among malacologists/conchologists for his marvelous photos of
minute shells (ie. those less than 10 mm) that appeared not only in his own
publications but those of James H. McLean, Donald R. Shasky, and many
others.  He became a member of the Conchological Club of Southern
California in 1961 and served as CCSC secretary in 1964 and 1965, treasurer
in 1966, vice-president in 1971 and 1984, and was president in 1972, 1973,
and again in 1985. He was active in the club through 1999 and was a
mainstay for giving top-notch presentations that featured his minute
mollusk photography.  Bert was appointed Museum Associate in Malacology in
1973 in recognition of his publications and service as a volunteer.  Bert
was also a member of the Western Society of Malacologists, the San Diego
Shell Club, the Hawaiian Malacological Society, and the Pacific Shell Club.
 He was editor of the self-prepared and published Lost Operculum Club, a
guide of record size shells of the Eastern Pacific, from 1966 through its
final edition in 1987.  Bert always referred to himself as an amateur
malacologist and his publication record reflects his dedicated interst in
shells.  In particular he had a passion to photograph and identify the
difficult minute families of Triphoridae, Caecidae, and Vitrinellidae,
especially those of the eastern Pacific and Hawaii. In addition to his love
of minute shells, Bert enjoyed stamp collecting, trains (both full-size and
model railroads), photography, and the music of Lawrence Welk.  Bert
happily shared his knowledge with colleagues and friends, and we will
certainly miss his colorful descriptions of observing live caecids from
tide pools, flying over Mauna Loa during an eruption, collecting fossils
from the Miocene Topanga Formation and many others.  He will indeed be
missed.  A more detailed account of his malacological interests and a
record of his publications is in preparation.

Lindsey T. Groves, Collection Manager, LACM Malacology
James H. McLean, Curator, LACM MAlacology