Remarks by Dick Sherry at the Celebration of Bob's Life, Sept. 20, 2004

I am Dick Sherry. I am an original Board Member of the organization that worked with the Park Board and Park Dept. to create a nature center in Mohawk Park.

In looking back, it is really a miracle that Oxley Nature Center exists. So many good things had to happen in a relatively short time, and one of the very best things that happened was when Bob Jennings accepted the position of Naturalist/Director in August of 1977. We liked Bob from the time we met him at the interview, and his quiet confidence gave us confidence that he was the right person to direct our fledgling nature center.

If it “takes a village to raise a child”, I believe it took a Bob to raise the Nature Center. If our organization was the “biological parents” of the Center, Bob became its Nanny, Godfather, Guardian, Mentor and Personal Trainer all rolled into one.

So much was accomplished in the 25 years Bob was the Oxley Director. But I want to focus on the first 3 and a half years. It was a MAGICAL time of HOPE, ANTICIPATION and PROGRESS. I would like to take you back to the Spring of 1977. We had the Master Plan from the National Audubon Society that had been approved by all the City governing bodies, and the generous donations of John and Mary Oxley and numerous other donors were in the bank, but the City did not have the funding for the Naturalist’s position. At that time the Junior League of Tulsa became a crutial partner in the Nature Center project. They agreed to fund most of the Naturalist’s salary for 2 years, to organize the volunteer guide program and to establish a nature center newsletter. This paved the way for the hiring of the Naturalist , and Bob’s first day was September 15, 1977.

Over the last few days, I have looked at many photographs and reread the old newspaper and magazine articles that were written about Bob and the Nature Center in the late 70’s, and I feel like we owe Kelly an apology. If there were nights when Bob came home worn-out and a little cranky, it was probably our fault. We were asking him to do so many things at once!

We had been advised by the National Audubon Society planners and staff members at other nature centers that we should not begin construction on the capital improvements or the design of the buildings until the Naturalist was on board. So when Bob started, it was like we were giving an artist a 700+ acre blank canvas to work with, and Bob produced a masterpiece.

He was working with the Junior League as they organized the Volunteer program. He developed the training material for the volunteers, as well as conducted the training sessions. He also developed the educational program for the schools that would be visiting the Center, and when visitors started coming out in the Spring of 1978, he was leading many of the groups.

At the same time, he was getting immersed in the actual development of the site. Trail layout and construction was in full swing, and he spent hours with our architect, Steve Olsen, who was donating his time to design the Shelter, the Front Gate and finally the Interpretive Building. In those 3 and a half years, miles of Trails were constructed, the Boardwalk at the Marsh was built along with a new Bridge across Coal Creek, and both the Shelter and the Interpretive Building were completed. The educational programs were so popular that schools were reserving time nearly a year in advance.

His great common sense and practicality were tremendous assets. He called me one afternoon to talk about obtaining railroad ties for the borders on the trails. He had called a number of sources and we were surprised at the high prices they were asking. Then he said he had noticed that the rail line just south of Mohawk Park was being rebuilt, so he contacted the person in charge and explained our need for the ties. Bob was told that if he would gather them up and haul them off, he could have them – and that is exactly what he did!

He later learned that the Community College facility at Apache & Harvard was going to expand, and that an area of native prairie plants would be lost in the process. With the permission of the college, and the aid of some volunteers and summer workers, seeds were collected from many of these plants and were then used to establish the native prairie area north of the Interpretive Building.

When it came time to add some full time help for Bob, we were again blessed with the quality of the people who wanted to work with and for Bob. His ability to pick good people continued throughout his time as Director. These people have been exceptional, and as dedicated and unselfish with their time and talents as Bob.

Bob was an amazing man! A rare combination of skills and knowledge. Photographer, Philosopher, Scientist, Storyteller, Construction Foreman, Teacher, Manager and Friend. But to me his most amazing talent was his ability to express in writing the simple and beautiful way he perceived Nature.

When I told our oldest daughter that Bob had passed away, she reminded me of a time when she was about 5 or 6 years old. Bob was at our house, and Beth had an ear ache and wasn’t feeling well. So Bob cranked up his pipe and blew the warm smoke into her ear. I don’t know if it cured the ear ache, but it left a lasting memory with her, and she is now 30.

Bob gave us all a lot of good memories, and I hope that when we visit Oxley or Redbud Valley in the future, we will take a moment and say “Thank You” to this very good man. He was a blessing in the lives of all of us who knew him and got to work with him, and he was a blessing to the Community as well.

Rest in Peace, Bob, with the Assurance that you will always have our Gratitude and Appreciation.