Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation was started in 1984 by the friends, colleagues and students of the late Dr. Daniel E. Stuntz. They sought to honor his memory by providing financial support to researchers, educators and students of mycology in the Pacific Northwest. Since 2017 grant-making services are carried out by The Stuntz Mycology Fund to serve the same goals.
Dr. Daniel Elliot Stuntz
Daniel Elliot Stuntz was born on March 15, 1909, in Ohio. He received his bachelor’s degree from University of Washington in 1935 and his Ph.D. from Yale in 1940. After 18 years of teaching, he was made Professor of Botany at the University of Washington, a position he kept until his death in 1983.
In addition to being a dedicated and beloved teacher of Botany and Mycology, Dr. Stuntz helped establish the fungal herbarium at the UW and left a legacy of rare books on botany to the UW.
Dr. Stuntz had many talents besides mycology. He was a gifted illustrator, musician, composer, and a gourmand. Forty years later, former students fondly remember the feasts he supplied every day, inspired by his belief that they would learn more if they were well fed.
His unique character, a 40-year devotion to sharing his knowledge, and unending energy teaching mycology to students and the public, inspired widespread respect, affection, and love. The Foundation/Fund was established to honor such a man and his life’s work.
Additional information about Dr. Stuntz can be found here:
Wikipedia – Daniel Elliot Stuntz
Hosford, 1979
Ammirati & Libonati-Barnes, 1986
Dr. Patrica Allynson Winter
Much of the Stuntz Foundation’s original funding came in 1989, with a gift from Dr. Patricia Winter.
Like Dr. Stuntz, Dr. Patricia Winter was a talented, educated woman with diverse interests. Born in May 1906, in Illinois, Dr. Winter grew up across the street from the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. During the 1930’s she trained and performed as an opera singer, completed medical school and took flying lessons from Lindbergh, becoming a licensed pilot in 1930.
In 1935 she moved to Seattle and started her medical career. During her 47 years of medical practice she married and became a mother. The tragedy of losing her pre-teen children in a fire spurred Dr. Winter to help other children to achieve their education. Fourteen children completed college with her help. She later returned to school for her Ph.D. at Stanford University.
Dr. Winter joined the Puget Sound Mycological Society in 1972 and immediately became an active member. She got to know Dr. Stuntz and admired his expertise in mycology and his devotion to students. She shared Dr. Stuntz‘s love for students and wanted to provide resources that would support graduate students in mycology. She knew first-hand the financial struggles of students. (Information sourced from Seattle Times obituary September 27, 1989.)
Details about the Pat Winter Fund may be found here.