30 
IOWA ACADEMY OE SCIENCE Vor.. XXVII, 1920 
Then, too, I fear that the flood of memories which will come all 
unbidden will make it hard to do justice to the memory of the man 
whose kindl}^ face looks outi upon us from the canvas here presented. 
I first learned to know Professor Calvin more than forty years ago, 
when as a Freshman I entered his department as the factotum whose 
duty it was to furnish field supplies for laboratory work, and during all 
the years that followed my respect and affection for him grew constantl}^ 
Hel was both teacher and friend, and it is difficult to decide in which 
capacity he gained the stronger hold on the affections of those who 
were brought in closer contact with him. 
Neither time nor the, occasion will warrant an extensive account of 
Professor Calvin’s activities. As already noted in the deeply sympathetic 
letter of his long-time friend and colleague. Doctor Macbride, this is 
no time for biographical detail. We recall with pride his services as a 
citizen and soldier; his scientific achievements are a matter of record 
never to be forgotten ; and the memory of his splendid character will 
remain longest with those who knew him best. 
It is nearly fifty 5^ears ago that he came to the State University as 
Professor of Natural Science, and the record of his life is blended with 
the history of the development of the University and the State. Out of 
the chair of “Natural Science,” or “settee” as he facetiously called it, 
have grown the strong departments of Geology, Botany and Zoology in 
the College of Liberal Arts, and that of Bacteriology in the College of 
Medicine. He was the organizer of the Iowa Geological Survey and 
for many years the State Geologist, and the record of his work in this 
connection is too well known to require repetition in this presence. 
While we cannot now dwell upon the details of Professor Calvin’s life, 
there are two qualities that stand out as particularly characteristic of 
him as a teacher, an investigator and a man, which seem to be especially 
■ worthy of note at this time. I refer to his extreme modesty and his 
sterling honesty. Would that it were possible to burn the memory and the 
appreciation of the value of these qualities into the minds and the 
consciousness especially of the younger generation of scientific workers ! 
A man of strong convictions, yet he approached every problem modestly 
and with an open mind. There was none of that air of cock-suredness 
which is sometimes displayed by the narrow specialist, and which is sure 
to arouse mistrust. No doubt this modest attitude largely prepared the 
way for the soundness of his conclusions when finally reached. 
His modesty was but a phase of that honesty which was his transcen- 
dent quality. He was not only honest in ordinary dealings, but he was 
honest with himself, and honest in his attitude towards the scientific 
problems which engrossed his attention. It is this phase of his character 
which I commend especially to those who are just entering upon a scien- 
tific career, for there is no other field in which open-minded honesty is 
more truly essential. 
May this beautiful gift assist in perpetuating the memory of our 
beloved friend and colleague, and may the example of his noble life 
inspire us, and those who follow us, to an honest search for truth ! 
B. Shimek. 
