In Memoriam: Glenn D. Aumann, NSM Dean 1990-1992
Aumann Led the UH Coastal Center for Many Years
Glenn Aumann, a professor emeritus of biology and biochemistry and long-time leader
within UH and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, passed away unexpectedly
at his home in Houston on May 11. He was 82.
He came to UH in 1965 after completing a Ph.D. in ecology and animal behavior at the
University of Wisconsin, Madison. Throughout the years, Aumann served the Department
of Biology and Biochemistry, NSM and UH in a variety of leadership roles. He was NSM’s
first associate dean and later served as dean.
Aumann’s leadership service included chairman of biology (1967-76); associate dean
of NSM (1976-82); interim dean of NSM (1982-83); associate provost (1983-84); associate
vice president for research (1984-90); dean of NSM (1990-92); and acting senior vice
president for academic affairs (1992-94).
Perhaps the UH position closest to his heart was his work as director of the University
of Houston Coastal Center. The UHCC, located west of La Marque, Texas, encompasses
925 acres on the north side of State Highway 6 and west of FM 2004. The mission of
the UHCC is to support environmental research on the Texas coast by providing researchers
with access to field sites, equipment and facilities.
Aumann spent countless hours at the UHCC working to restore and protect the coastal
prairie parcel. Prior to World War II, the site was dominated by tall-grass prairie.
However, during World War II, the military established Camp Wallace at the location,
which served as home to 16,000 soldiers and hundreds of German prisoners of war. The
base infrastructure disturbed large portions of the prairie and introduced non-native
species to the area.
Thanks to the years of hard work and leadership by Aumann, the UHCC became an excellent
research resource. Current UHCC research activities include studies of air quality
and micrometeorology, invasive species and prairie ecology, and climate change and
coastal wetland ecology.
Aumann was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and
the Native Prairies Association of Texas. He also served as councilor for the Oak
Ridge Associated Universities and as a voting delegate for the National Association
of University and Land-Grant Colleges Commission on Food, Environmental and Renewable
Resources and the section on Fish and Wildlife Resources.
He proudly served his country for four years in the United States Navy submarine services
on the Tilefish, Pomfret and Bagara.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 6700
Ferris, Bellaire, Texas, from 6-8 p.m. Services will be held Thursday, May 16, at
11 a.m. at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4930 West Bellfort, Houston, 77035.
A reception will follow in the parish hall.