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Sierra Club Bulletin 



and dinners — even those of scientific societies — and finally 

 gave them up altogether. When urged to go, his usual reply 

 w^as that for half a century he had done his full duty in this 

 line, having served in various offices and committees, and felt 

 that for the rest of his life he v^as entitled to freedom from the 

 fatigue and mental strain incident to such gatherings. 



My acquaintance with Gilbert dates from the winter of 

 1871, after his return from his first season's field-work in the 

 far West. He was then only twenty-eight years of age and in 

 the vigor of young manhood. I was impressed by his splendid 

 physical appearance, by the dignity of his presence, and the 

 maturity of his judgment. As he grew in years and knowledge, 

 there came to him a certain nobility of purpose and bearing 

 that was felt by all who knew him. Association with a man of 

 such scope of intellectual activity, such rare scientific training, 

 such high ideals, and such winning personal qualities could but 

 exert, albeit unconsciously, a happy influence on one's life and 

 work. The memory of our friendship, extending over a period 

 of forty-six years — during nineteen of which he was an in- 

 timate member of my household — will always be cherished as 

 one of the privileges of my life. 



To those who knew him, the memory of Grove Karl Gilbert 

 will always stand out in bold relief. In our minds he will live 

 as a type of the exceptional man: Tall and of fine presence, 

 frank, informal, yet dignified and courteous, unobtrusive, pa- 

 tient, sympathetic, considerate of others. Whether measured 

 by mental alertness, breadth of view, or scholarly attainment ; 

 by the scope and value of his contributions to science ; by the 

 logic and clearness of his presentation of scientific problems; 

 by the sincerity, fairness, and painstaking thoroughness of his 

 work, or by the charm and inspiring influence of his unassum- 

 ing personality, he loomed above most of his fellows and was 

 looked up to and admired — for his qualities were those that ap- 

 peal to the heart as well as to the mind. 



An authority in many fields, and yet one who never assumed 

 authority ; a leader in science, and yet one who never assumed 

 leadership ; neither power nor glory did he seek, but the satis- 

 faction of contributing his share to the sum of human knowl- 

 edge. 



