William M. Furnish

 The Paleozoic has been the cherished purview of William M.
 Furnish.  Over more than half a century, Furnish has
 documented, detailed, and chronicled the unparalleled diversity
 of Paleozoic ammonoids.  Covering the Devonian to the Permian
 and spanning almost every continent, through field and
 laboratory work, Furnish has helped to understand the evolutionary
 radiation of ammonoids throughout the Paleozoic.  One of the
 authors of the Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, both on
 ammonoids and nautiloids, he is a true giant, framing our vision
 not only of ammonoids, but of our profession itself.  He has long
 been a beacon at the University of Iowa, where his avuncular
 style and generous nature has made him a legend among students.
 
 (VIth International Symposium - Cephalopods Present & Past, Fayetteville, September 19, 2004)