The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124(4):827-828, 2012 
In Memoriam 
Pershing Benard “Jack” Hofslund (1918-2012) 
Pershing Benard -'Jack" Hofslund was bom 13 April 
1918 in Jeffers, Minnesota, and passed away on 21 
April 2012 at the age of 94 in Duluth, Minnesota. Jack 
began his interest in birds at an early age without 
encouragement from others, without instruction, binoc¬ 
ular; or a field guide. He identified his first birds horn 
Ann and Hammer Baking Six la cards and pictures 
clipped from magazines and pasted into a pocket 
notebook (Pcttingill. O. S„ 1965. Hu- Bin! Watchers 
Anthology. McGraw-Hill Book Company. New York. 
USA: 378-384). It was not until Ik- was a senior in high 
school that he borrowed The Birds of Minnesota by T. 
S. Roberts from the local library and read both volumes 
from cover to cover in the allotted 10 days. 
Jack graduated from high school in Jeffers, 
Minnesota (1936) and received his B.S. Degree 
from Mankato State Teachers College in Minnesota 
(1940). In 1940 he married Elaine Warner who died 
827 
in 2009 Many of us observed that Jack was nevet 
really the same after Elaine passed away. Jack and 
Elaine had a special relationship: the envy of any 
married couple. He was absolutely devoted to her. 
Jack taught high school in Pcquot Lakes and 
Milaca, Minnesota, then served in the Navy 
(1945-1946) during World War II. Shortly 
thereafter he began his ornithological research 
career, receiving an M.S. in 1947 and his Ph.D. in 
1954 from the University of Michigan. His 
doctoral dissertation, "A Life History Study of 
the Yellowthroal," initiated his long interest in 
parulid warblers and had a major influence on 
countless students, including me. During his 
graduate studies, Jack began his career at the 
University of Minnesota-Duluth (UMD) in 1949 
and retired as a full professor from UMD in 1982. 
He then became professor emeritus. Upon retirement. 
