Kevin O’Connor, Clu Cotter, Tom Stolberg, and Mike Donovan
The wildlife profession lost four esteemed colleagues on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Three California Department of Fish and Game wildlife biologists and a contract helicopter pilot died in a crash while on a routine aerial deer survey in a remote section of Madera County. An investigation is under way into the cause of the crash.
Kevin O'Connor, DFG Senior Biologist Supervisor, Clu Cotter, DFG Associate Biologist, and Tom Stolberg, DFG Seasonal Aid, lost their lives in the helicopter crash. Helicopter pilot Dennis (Mike) Donovan of Landells Aviation, also lost his life.
Many members of the Western Section worked with Clu, Kevin, Tom, and Mike and considered them good friends. Our greatest sympathy goes to their families and friends.
Information on services and memorial funds may be found below.
Kevin O’Connor
Kevin O’Connor earned his B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from UC Davis in 1993. He then conducted field studies of Spotted Owls, Pine Martens, Fishers, and other wildlife, and implemented wildlife habitat improvement projects as a Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Forest Service in Central and Northern California. He brought this experience to DFG in 1997 when he was hired as a Wildlife Biologist to manage Ecological Reserves in the San Joaquin Valley. From 2000 to 2005, Kevin worked as an Environmental Scientist in the Timberlands Conservation Program, where he reviewed Timber Harvest Plans, continued focused studies on Great Gray Owls, and effectively applied scientific information to better management of timber harvest and wildlife in the Central Sierra Nevada. In 2005, Kevin became the Senior Wildlife Biologist Supervisor for DFG’s Central Region, responsible for nine counties in the San Joaquin Valley and southern Sierra Nevada. He led 15 staff in a variety of highly effective work in wildlife management, lands management, public education, and providing hunting opportunities. Kevin was admired for his energy, enthusiasm, field skills, ability to motivate, and dedication to public service and the wildlife profession. Kevin was an involved member of the Western Section and served in multiple positions on the Executive Board of the San Joaquin Valley Chapter. Kevin is survived by his wife and four children.
Clu Cotter
Clu Cotter earned a B.S. in Ecology and Systematic Biology from CalPoly, San Luis Obispo in 1990. After a year as a Wildlife Technician with the U.S. Forest Service, and a year as a Staff Analyst with the Fresno County Planning Department, Clu joined the Department of Water Resources, San Joaquin District. From 1992 to 1999, Clu rose through the ranks of Environmental Scientist, conducting endangered species surveys, preparing environmental documents, and leading habitat restoration projects. Clu joined DFG’s Central Region, in 1999 as an Associate Wildlife Biologist. There, he assumed increasing responsibilities for wildlife management in the area east of Fresno, including public outreach, deer herd management, habitat management, and special studies of carnivores in the high Sierra. He was known for his calm professional demeanor, good humor, field skills and endurance, and was often called on to hike or ski into rugged country to locate and retrieve radio-telemetry equipment or remote cameras. Clu was an active member of the Western Section. Clu is survived by his wife and two children.
Tom Stolberg
Tom Stolberg worked with the Boy Scouts of America, and was river guide before earning a B.A. in History from CSU Humboldt, in 2003. He was also a Certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician. Tom joined DFG in 2004 as a Scientific Aid in the Wildlife Management office in Fresno. Tom was the first person most people talked to when contacting Wildlife Management for information, and soon became expert in providing the public sound information on hunting, and wildlife in general. Tom also assisted with wildlife habitat projects, capturing deer for telemetry studies, and managing public hunts. The public and Department staff enjoyed Tom’s intelligence, wit, and attention to detail.
Dennis (Mike) Donovan
Mike Donovan was a Navy veteran pilot from Palm Springs who had been flying since 1964. He was a seasoned professional that other pilots could look up to. His career experience included three combat tours in Vietnam; work as a naval flight instructor; Loma Linda Hospital, Mercy Air; the USGS; Western Helicopters; and Landells Aviation. Mike also supported the White Mountain Research Station out of Bishop (CA), and during the summer months he fought forest fires throughout the Western US. In southern California, Mike did numerous rescues with the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (photo) and the Palm Springs Mounted Police. Palm Springs is adjacent to the steepest mountain in California, Mount San Jacinto. One of the most challenging and demanding jobs that Mike piloted was for the Palm Springs Tramway in the San Jacinto Mountains. Don Landells was the man that made the helicopter program work for the building of the Tramway. Don said that the Tramway was so demanding that only a few pilots were able to handle that kind of work. Mike was one of those pilots. Mike’s family describe him as a good man, experienced pilot, father, grandfather and husband, He leaves behind two sons, five grandchildren and a wife of 45 years. Mike was an avid cyclist who rode his bike three or four times a week.
Memorial Funds and Condolences
DFG and the California Association of State Scientists (CAPS) have teamed up to create a Memorial Fund for the victim’s families. Those wishing to contribute can make checks out to the "State Biologists' Memorial Fund" and can send them to:
State Biologists' Memorial Fund c/o CAPS 455 Capitol Mall, Suite 500 Sacramento, CA 95814
If people wish for condolences to reach the victim’s families directly, please specify the family’s name on the envelope and send them to:
c/o Condolences for Crash Victims DFG 1234 E. Shaw Ave. Fresno, CA 93710
The Wildlife Society | 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 200 | Bethesda MD 20814-2144| Phone: (301) 897-9770 | Fax: (301) 530-2471
