William G. Pearcy Papers, 1967-2012

Title: William G. Pearcy Papers, 1967-2012

Predominant Dates: 1995-2003

ID: MSS Pearcy

Primary Creator: Pearcy, William G.

Extent: 0.1 cubic feet. More info below.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The William G. Pearcy Papers document Pearcy's research, honors and awards, and interactions with colleagues and collaborators. William G. Pearcy was a Professor of Oceanography at Oregon State University from 1960 until his retirement in 1990. As a biological oceanographer, Pearcy studied the ocean ecology of Pacific salmon.

Scope and Content Notes

The William G. Pearcy Papers consists of a selection of correspondence assembled by Pearcy documenting his research, honors and awards, and interactions with colleagues and collaborators around the world. The correspondence includes manuscript and proposal reviews, letters of recommendation for former students and colleagues, and materials pertaining to the Oregon Coastal Salmon Restoration Initiative (also known as the Oregon Plan).

The collection also includes a photograph of Pearcy with a submersible used for oceanographic research and a certificate documenting his May 28, 1967 dive to 2046 feet in the Deepstar 4000 deep submersion vehicle.

Biographical / Historical Notes

William G. Pearcy joined the faculty of Oregon State University in 1960 as a biological oceanographer in the newly established Oceanography Department. Pearcy's research on Pacific salmon, deep-sea fish biology, squid, and trace metals in the marine food chain resulted in more than 150 scientific papers and the 1992 book, Ocean Ecology of North Pacific Salmonids. Of special note is Pearcy's research on the causes of declining salmon stock. Pearcy retired from Oregon State University in 1990, but maintained an active research program through the 1990s. He received the Oscar Elton Sette Award in 1995 and the Pacific Marine Sciences Organization Wooster Award in 2003. Pearcy earned his BS and MS degrees at Iowa State University and his Ph.D. at Yale University. Bill Pearcy participated in some of the first submersible dives off the Pacific Northwest coast.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 1 photograph; 1 box

Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: The materials were transferred from the Hatfield Marine Science Center to the Special Collections & Archives Research Center in 2012.

Related Materials: Film footage of Pearcy participating in research voyages off the Oregon coast in the early 1960s is available in the Charles Osterberg Motion Picture Films (FV 284). The College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Records (RG 173), School of Oceanography Photographs (P 203), and the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Motion Picture Films and Videotapes (FV 203) provide extensive documentation of oceanographic research at Oregon State University.

Preferred Citation: William G. Pearcy Papers (MSS Pearcy), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

People, Places, and Topics

Natural Resources
Oceanography--Research--Oregon.
Oceanography--Study and teaching (Higher)--Oregon.
Oregon State University. College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Pearcy, William G.
Salmon--Government policy--Oregon.
University History