George P. Doerksen

A short biography of Dr G.P. DOERKSEN (born: July 5, 1940, New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada; deceased:? 30 July 1981, Liard River Hotsprings, British Columbia; entomologist, photographer and teacher) is followed by his odonatological bibliography (1979-1981). His odonatological notebooks and photographs are deposited in the British Columbia Provincial Museum, Victoria. To all who knew George Doerksen — that enthusiastic and energetic entomologist, naturalist, photographer and teacher — his sudden and tragic death this past summer was a great shock. As always in the summer, George was in the field, this time near the northern border of British Columbia at Liard River Hotsprings, about 560 km northwest of Fort Saint John. According to reports, he was in his camp during the night of July 30-31, 1981, when he was attacked and killed by a grizzly bear. There were no witnesses, but authorities, reconstructing the tragedy, believe he was killed when, in the dark, he surprised a bear that was attempting to break into his car.