Joseph W. Smith

Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
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
Dr. Don Hoss and Dr. Ford “Bud” Cross NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

Dr. Don Hoss, hailing from Mexico, Missouri, has devoted a significant portion of his life to the field of fisheries. His educational journey began at the University of Missouri, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Fisheries. Don joined the Beaufort Laboratory in 1958 as a Fishery Biologist, embarking on a long and fruitful career that would span over four decades. He obtained a Master's degree from North Carolina State University in 1966, followed by a Ph.D. in 1971.

 Joseph W. Smith, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Dr. Gordon Thayer and Dr. Judson Kenworthy NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

Dr. Gordon Thayer, a renowned Fishery Biologist, has made substantial contributions to the field of fisheries research and management. He obtained a Master's degree from the University of Delaware and later pursued his Ph.D. at North Carolina State University. In 1968, Gordon joined the Beaufort Lab, where he dedicated over three decades to the study of fisheries. Gordon was instrumental in establishing the Seagrass Program at the Beaufort Laboratory in the late 1960s, contributing to the preservation and conservation of seagrass habitats. Dr.

 Joseph W. Smith, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan, Doug Wolfe Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Dr. Stanley M. Warlen NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

Stan, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, developed an interest in the natural world from an early age. This passion led him to pursue higher education, and in 1962, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. Stan continued his academic journey and obtained his Master's degree from the University of Delaware in 1964. In 1965, Stan came to work for the Beaufort Laboratory, where he made significant contributions to the field of marine ecology. Initially employed with the Menhaden Program, he played a crucial role in managing fishery-dependent data collection.

 Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Jeff Govoni, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan 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
Gene Huntsman NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1965
  • Did post-doctoral work at the University of Miami 1966-1967
  • Employed at the Beaufort Laboratory in 1967, initially with the Menhaden Program
  • Established the Reef Fish Program at the Beaufort Laboratory in the early 1970s, studying life histories of the snapper-grouper complex of fishes along the U.S.
 Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
Herb Prythrech NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • Born in Beaufort, NC; raised on Pivers Island (site of the Beaufort Laboratory)
  • Herb’s father, Dr. Herbert Prythrech, was Director of the Beaufort Laboratory, 1933-1949
  • Graduated from East Carolina University and also served in the US Army
  • Worked for the NMFS, formerly the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, as a port agent and fishery reporting specialist in TX, SC, GA, and Miami; retired from NMFS in 1994
 Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
John Baptist NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories
  • John grew up in Pennsylvania and received his Master’s degree in the early 1950s from Bucknell University
  • He worked for about five years in the early 1950s as an oyster biologist for the State of Maryland near Annapolis
  • He was hired as a fishery biologist with the Radiobiological Laboratory at the Beaufort Laboratory in 1955
  • Retired from the Beaufort Laboratory in 1975
  • John was 98 years old when he recorded this interview
 Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Ford Cross, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, NC NOAA Fisheries
John Jeff Govoni NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories

Dr. Jeff Govoni's was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, and spent his formative years in the Village of Buzzards Bay, fostering a deep fascination with the local plants and animals. He pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Biology at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, which he successfully completed in 1970. Following his graduation, he joined the Massachusetts National Guard. In the years that followed, from 1972 to 1974, Jeff worked with a consulting firm, focusing on describing the distribution of fish eggs and larvae in Narragansett Bay.

 Joseph W. Smith, Don Hoss, Douglas Vaughan Beaufort, 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
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