John Edward Rawlins

Dr. John E. Rawlins It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Dr. John E. Rawlins, 71, former Heppner resident. John passed away on December 26, 2021, at Gilbert, Arizona, where he recently moved to be close to his family.

John graduated from Heppner High School and earned his undergraduate degree (B.S.) at Oregon State University in 1972, and his PhD from Cornell University in 1982.

He was a professor at the University of Texas in Austin before becoming the Curator of the Section of Invertebrate Zoology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) in 1985.

For over 30 years John’s research and scholarship around the world’s Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) and his focus on conserving the earth’s biodiversity, has enabled major scientific efforts for the investigation of biological diversity and conservation at both national and international levels. John was known and loved by many as the bug man who brought and enthusiasm to the subject of the importance of insects and biodiversity. He will be sorely missed by colleagues all over the world, especially Robert Davison and Chen Young.

Survivors include by his sister Carol and Brother Charlie, and his life partner Rita Lee, and close lifelong friend Jane Hyland. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Jane Rawlins and a brother Tom.

A fund has been established in memory of john at the Pittsburgh Foundation to support young scholars who are interested in biodiversity, conservation, invertebrates, and other related scientific domains. Tax deductible donations in honor of John’s memory can be made to (The Pittsburgh Foundation, Dr. John Rawlins Biodiversity Memorial Fund, Fund #11014, Five PPG Place, Suite 250, Pittsburgh, PA 15222).

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