NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Joseph W. Smith
  • Interviews with retired staff of NOAA Beaufort Lab, documenting their academic background, career path, research focus, and reflections on their work in the lab.  

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Charles Roithmayr NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

"What stimulated me and pleased me very much with my position as a research biologist, was that I felt that the government, under this program, was really trying to benefit the industry and the industry recognized that they would benefit.  As you said, it was best to have good data about the fishery and the fish.  So, we developed a very, very close relationship."

Joseph W. Smith Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Eldon J. Levi NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Eldon was born and raised in California. He served in the U.S. Army overseas.
  • He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from San Jose State University in the mid-1960s.
  • Eldon was initially employed by the U.S.
Joseph W. Smith Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Aleta Hohn NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Raised in Maryland.
  • Received her Bachelor’s and Graduate degrees in the 1970s from the University of Maryland at College Park, the latter under Dr. Eugenie Clark.
  • While at College Park she volunteered at the Smithsonian and worked for Dr.
Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Jeff Govoni, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Dr. Bill Schaaf NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

William, born and raised in Ohio, embarked on an academic journey that laid the foundation for his remarkable career. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1960, marking the beginning of his pursuit of knowledge. Not long after, he furthered his education by earning a Master's degree in statistics from the University of North Carolina, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Jeff Govoni, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Doug Willis NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Doug was born and raised in Carteret County, North Carolina.  Growing up, Doug worked on menhaden boats with his Uncle Wiley and on charter boats in Morehead City.
  • Doug attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
  • Doug was hired as a fisheries technician at the Beaufort Laboratory in 1965. 
Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Richard “Dick” Stone NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

Richard "Dick" Stone, a native of Virginia Beach, Virgina, has dedicated his life to environmental research and conservation. He completed his Bachelor's Degree at Virginia Military Institute. He pursued a Master's Degree at William and Mary, further honing his expertise. Dick joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sandy Hook Lab, where he spent 8-1/2 years contributing to important research and conservation efforts.  In 1972, Dick embarked on a new phase of his career when he transferred to NOAA's Beaufort Lab.

Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan, Doug Wolfe Morehead City, NC NOAA Fisheries
Patricia “Pat” Tester NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

Dr. Pat Tester, a respected figure in the field of oceanography, has dedicated her career to studying and understanding marine ecosystems. Growing up in Oklahoma, her love for the natural world led her to pursue a Bachelor's Degree at California State University at Sonoma in 1972. Seeking further specialization, she obtained her Master's Degree in Oceanography from Oregon State University in 1976 and went on to complete her Ph.D. in the same field at OSU in 1983. In 1976, Dr.

Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Jeff Govoni, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Randall “Randy” Cheek NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Born and raised in Raleigh, NC
  • Graduated from North Carolina State University with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Biology
  • Drafted by the US Army
  • Employed as Fisheries Biologist at the Beaufort Lab 1961-1989
Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Joseph W. Smith NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Joseph W. Smith: Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA..
  • He received his Bachelor’s Degree in biology at Saint Joseph University in Philadelphia in 1975.
  • He received his Master’s Degree in Marine Science from Willian & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, in 1980.
Don Hoss, Jeff Govoni Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Doug Wolfe and Dave Engel NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

Dr. Doug Wolfe, a highly accomplished scientist, dedicated several years of his career to the Beaufort Laboratory, making significant contributions as a Chemist/Fishery Biologist. Born and raised in Ohio, he nurtured a deep fascination for the natural world from a young age. Doug pursued his academic aspirations at Ohio State University, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and later a Graduate degree in Biochemistry. In 1964, Doug joined the Beaufort Lab.

Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries