Director Emeritus Dr. Farst started his career as a private practitioner but in 1969 took a position as veterinarian at the Columbus Zoo. Soon afterward he was called to do double duty and take on the responsibilities of the mammal curator. Dr. Warren Thomas, director of the Gladys Porter Zoo… Read More
General Curator Emeritus Mike started his long career in the zoo profession as a summer zookeeper at the Lincoln Park Zoo in 1967. Learning his craft, his journey continued when he joined the Mesker Park Zoo in 1971 as a zoologist. He became General Curator at the zoo and at… Read More
Chief Zoological Officer Emeritus Brad Andrews began his professional career in 1972 as an animal keeper at Marineland of the Pacific. He ended his 15-year tenure at the park as General Curator. In 1987 his association with SeaWorld began as Associate Curator. He moved upward in the organization leaving… Read More
Pat Sass started her zoo career in 1961 at Lincoln Park Zoo under director Marlin Perkins. Retirement came in 1998 after 37 years with the animals she loved. During her long career she had many accomplishments. She was one of the original members of the American Association of Zoo Keepers… Read More
Director Emeritus Dr. Lester E. Fisher was hired as Lincoln Park zoo’s first veterinarian in 1947 working under the directorship of the famous Marlin Perkins. Perkins became a friend and the two worked well together. Each respecting the others talents and role. In 1962 Marlin left to go to St. Read More
Curator Emeritus Mark had an early introduction to the Lincoln Park Zoo having grown up across the street and literally visiting it every day as a youngster. His early memory is meeting zoo director Marlin Perkins on the grounds while Mr. Perkins was filming his television show Zoo Parade. He… Read More
Director Emeritus Mark comes from a zoo family. His father Dr. Ted Reed was director of the National Zoo and a leading figure in conservation and zoo medicine. He graduated from Kansas State university in 1972 and received his advanced degree from Texas Tech. Mark’s first zoo job was at… Read More
Former Executive Director Steve started his career as an animal keeper at the Kansas City Zoo (1967–1970). His next opportunity came when he took the position as Assistant Curator of Birds at the Philadelphia Zoo. This position gave him the opportunity for field experience in Ecuador, Argentina and the Falkland… Read More
Director Frank Thompson was indeed a man of many talents. In his career he was a circus musician, animal dealer, animal trainer and staff member of both private and public zoos. Working at Fort Worth Zoo, Mesker Park Zoo, and Jacksonville Zoo he honed his skill as an animal man… Read More
Director Emeritus George Rabb joined Brookfield Zoo in 1956 on a research project commissioned by the Chicago Zoological Society. He worked under Director Robert Bean, son of the first Director of Brookfield Zoo. Since Rabb had no title he gave himself one, curator and coordinator of research. This was a… Read More
Director Emeritus Some folks start work at a zoo but Pat and some friends started the Northwest Florida Zoological Society. It was a dream to have a zoo in Pensacola. Before a zoo could be constructed he took a job as director of the San Francisco Zoo Children’s Zoo under… Read More
Director Emeritus Marlin Perkins was a zoo man. In 1928 he was named curator of reptiles at the St. Louis Zoo. Later his career path took him to the Buffalo Zoo, Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo and finally back to St. Louis where he retired in 1970. While director at… Read More
Director, Retired After graduate school Saul started his zoo career at the Oklahoma City Zoo. It was 1963 and he was hired, by zoo director Dr. Warren Thomas, as Curator of Primates. When Dr. Thomas went to Omaha Zoo in 1966, as director, he offered Saul the position of General… Read More
Director, Retired Dr. Hubble got a part-time job as a keeper at the Columbus Zoo working week-ends, and that’s what solidified his interest in zoo animal medicine. When he graduated in 1959, there was only six full-time veterinarians in the country in zoo work. He began communicating with other zoo… Read More
Director At a young age Lawrence started his zoo career as assistant curator at the Dallas Aquarium, even as he continued his formal education. In 1949 he became curator at the Dallas Zoo. After 2 years he moved across town to the Fort Worth Zoo as general curator, and soon… Read More
Director Bob Bean was unique; he was the third generation of zoo professionals in his family. His grandfather, Edward H. Bean, was the first director of the Brookfield Zoo and his father, Robert Bean Sr., was Brookfield Zoo’s second director. His father’s sister, Mary Bean, was married to George Speidel,… Read More
Director Emeritus Paul started his zoo career as a part time reptile keeper at the San Diego Zoo in 1940. His promotion to driver for the zoo’s sightseeing bus came via his boss, Ms. Belle Benchley, the director of the zoo and the first female in the United States to… Read More
Dr. William G. Conway is an American zoologist, ornithologist and conservationist who began his career with the St. Louis Zoo. He joined the New York Zoological Society in 1956 as assistant curator of birds. He was later promoted to director of the society. In 1992 he became President. During his… Read More
Director Emeritus Bill began working for the Shedd Aquarium by going on fish collecting trips in 1950. He was later hired as a ‘tank’ man taking daily care of the fish. After serving in the Korean War, at the urging of the current director, Walter Chute, Bill came back to… Read More
Director Emeritus Louis DiSabato starting working at the Columbus Zoo at the age of 15 cleaning bathrooms and parking cars. After serving in the Korean War, he returned to Ohio and was immediately offered a job as mammal curator for the Columbus Zoo. As a young zoologist Louie DiSabato was… Read More