Famed Paleoanthropologist and Wildlife Conservationist Richard Leakey Dies at 77
by Elizabeth Gamillo/Smithsonianmag.com
Richard Leakey, a world-renowned paleoanthropologist and conservationist who uncovered evidence that supports human origins and evolution in Africa, died at 77 on January 2, reports Arnaud Siad for CNN.
The announcement was made late Sunday evening by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in a statement, but a cause of death was not stated, reports Scott Neuman for NPR.
On December 19, 1944, Leakey was born in Nairobi to notable parents Louis and Mary Leakey, who made many profound discoveries in human evolution, per NPR.
At first determined to evade his parents’ field, Richard Leakey would eventually follow in their footsteps with a few key fossil finds himself, report Alyssa Lukpat and Christine Chung for the New York Times. After a brief stint as a safari guide, he finally caved in to fossil fever and began pursing anthropology. After running out of money before he could support his degree in London, he returned to Kenya to learn about anthropology firsthand, according to an archived article published by the New York Times in 1979.
While he never completed formal schooling, Leakey began exploring the eastern shore of Kenya’s Lake Turkana in 1967, where he and his “Hominid Gang” discovered a treasure trove of fossils that changed how the world understood human evolution, per the New York Times. Read More:
Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator.
She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues.
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