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Memoir
Regents' Proceedings 1135
Chester Arthur Arnold, the internationally known paleo-botanist, formally retired from his active responsibilities as teacher and Retirement museum curator at the end of June, having recently attained the age of seventy.
Though born in Missouri, Professor Arnold completed his schooling in upstate New York, and he earned his baccalaureate degree and later his doctorate from Cornell. Coming to The University of Michigan as an instructor in botany in 1928, he rose through the several ranks to a full professorship in 1947, while serving continuously also as curator of the botanical material in the Museum of Paleontology. He has held an additional appointment in geology, a field, which his special interests overlapped.
Possessing the lively intuitions and the sustained energy needed for research in paleontology, Professor Arnold extended his fieldwork over broad areas of North America. He acquired in time a worldwide reputation, of which certain of his offices, such as president of the International Organization of Paleobotany and Visiting Scientist at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany in Luck now, India, were tokens. Retaining also a lively interest in all phases of botanical science and a special expertness in plant anatomy, he was a willing and capable teacher of intermediate and elementary courses as well as a faithful shepherd of the specialists whom he attracted here. His colleagues in the museums and in the Botany Department miss his generous spirit, his fidelity, the example of his steady research, and the intangible benefits conferred by his acknowledged distinction.
As he now formally retires, the University Regents would add their meed of thanks for his service and of congratulations upon his accomplishments. They cordially extend to him the perquisites of the titles for which he is now eligible: Professor Emeritus of Botany, and of Geology; and Curator Emeritus of Paleobotany.