Spring/Summer 1997
IN MEMORIAM
Clement W. Meighan
by Richard M. Leventhal
CLEM MEIGHAN, a professor for 39 years in the Department of Anthropology and former director of the Archaeological Survey (shown photographing at a rock art site in Baja California in the early 1960s), died April 30th. We have asked several people who knew Clem well to reminisce about this influential archaeologist in the next issue of Backdirt. I would, however, like to take this moment to consider Clem's passing and his importance to UCLA and to The Institute of Archaeology.
I came to UCLA just when he and Henry Nicholson were retiring. Clem then moved to Oregon. We had many conversations but never really became close.Clem Meighan's importance to UCLA and to The Institute of Archaeology is quite clear: a major figure in the development of the Department of Anthropology here, he founded the Rock Art Archive and was the first director of the Archaeological Survey, which remains part of the Institute today, as the South Central Coastal Information Center. His archaeological work was important both in Mesoamerica and in North America-specifically California.Clem was part of a generation that built archaeology in this country. Today, archaeology is a well-formed discipline with a set of ideas, methods, and approaches for the interpretation of the ancient world. This was not the case in the 1940s and 1950s. At that time, many parts of the world had not been explored archaeologically. Much of the work that was done by Clem and others was to develop initial chronologies and assessments of the ancient cultural developments throughout the world. Clem was one of the first archaeologists to work in and define areas of West Mexico and the coast of California.An important part of a generation of archaeologists who opened up the world for archaeological study and analysis, Clem Meighan will long be remembered as a remarkable archaeologist and a distinguished member of the UCLA community.Richard M. Leventhal is the Director of The UCLA Institute of Archaeology.
Robert M. Cooper
by Marilyn Beaudry-Corbett
BOB COOPER, an active volunteer at The Institute of Archaeology (shown in a characteristically exuberant mood), died March 19th. A retired mechanical engineer for the Aerospace Corporation, Bob received the company's President's Award for significant achievement in the sciences, engineering, administration, and program management for accomplishing the company's National Security Mission. We knew him as an enthusiastic, spirited individual who was eager to continue his long-time involvement with archaeology. An indication of the level of his commitment came in 1995 when he garnered $500 for The Institute of Archaeology from the Aerospace Corporation by contributing more than two hundred hours of his time in his first year of retirement.
The Zooarchaeology Lab enjoyed his willingness to tackle any and all tasks-including specimen preparation of a skunk-as well as his welcome offerings of bags of sweet goodies. One of Bob's key archaeological interests was the technology of early Southwestern pottery; he quickly became a valued contributor to various ceramic projects. As a volunteer teaching assistant for ceramic analysis classes, he prepared a technological type collection for student use, did thin section analysis of sherds, and served on the Ceramics Lab Working Committee.Several representatives of The Institute of Archaeology attended a warm Celebration of Life memorial service at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach on April 2nd. As Bob's family, associates, and friends shared tales and reminiscences, those of us who attended realized even more fully what a wonderfully diverse and brilliant person we were privileged to know. To help Bob's legacy live on, his family has designated the Ceramics Laboratory as a recipient of memorial gifts.Marilyn Beaudry-Corbett is the Director of Publications of The UCLA Institute of Archaeology.
Theodore E. Gutman
TED GUTMAN, a long-time member of the Friends of Archaeology and a devoted supporter of The Institute of Archaeology, died January 11th. He served as president of the Friends of Archaeology and he chaired the FoA's Fellowship Committee for many years. Participating in the Fowler Museum's outreach programs, Ted gave presentations on early humans and pre-Columbian civilizations at local schools. A familiar and gentlemanly presence at public lectures and social gatherings, he also participated in more than a hundred excavations and volunteered in many of the Institute labs. He was presented with The Institute of Archaeology's Golden Trowel Award in 1983.
One of the first to earn a Certificate in Archaeology from UCLA Extension, Ted's translation of Karl Sapper's "The Verapaz in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries: A Contribution to the Historical Geography and Ethnography of Northeastern Guatemala" was published by the Publications Unit in 1985.He leaves behind his widow Ruth, two daughters, and three grandsons, as well as those of us at the Institute who were so enriched by his presence. All will miss him.