University of Alabama professor emeritus Herbert Boschung dies

Herbert T. Boschung (right), a nationally recognized fish expert and University of Alabama professor emeritus of biology, was honored alongside his longtime friend and fellow UA alumnus Edward O. Wilson at a tribute on the UA campus in April 2014. The tribute was hosted by more than 20 Alabama biodiversity and conservation organizations. Boschung died Thursday, Feb. 5 at the age of 89 following a brief illness. (Photo: Jeffrey Bryant Hanson)

Herbert T. Boschung, a nationally known expert on fishes and professor emeritus of biology at the University of Alabama, died Thursday at the age of 89.

Boschung was the author of Fishes of Alabama, a definitive source of facts about Alabama fish.

He was an Air Force veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart and Air Medal.

Boschung earned his bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees from UA. He joined the UA faculty in 1950 and served as an instructor in biology at UAs Mobile Center and was assistant professor, associate professor and professor of biology, respectively, until his retirement in 1987.

Dr. Boschungs legacy as a scientist, teacher and administrator includes both the generations of students he mentored and the knowledge he gathered and shared through his research, UA President Judy Bonner said in a news release. The University of Alabama owes him a debt of gratitude for his work in building the marine biology program, curating the ichthyological collection and directing the Alabama Museum of Natural History.

Boschung was a lifelong friend of Pulitzer Prize-winning scientist Edward O. Wilson, who worked with Boschung when they were undergraduate biology majors at UA in the late 1940s.

In research, Herb was known nationally for his work on the freshwater fishes of the region, brilliant for its coverage of one of the richest faunas in America and the beauty of his illustrations, Wilson said.

Boschung is survived by three sons, John (Georganne) of Cookeville, Tenn.; Paul (Milla) of Tuscaloosa; Ralph (Marilyn) of Oakton, Va.; and one daughter, Mary Katherine (Larry) of Tuscaloosa.

Memorials should be made to Hospice of West Alabama. Visitation will be at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by a private burial.

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University of Alabama professor emeritus Herbert Boschung dies