Title
In Memoriam: Michael John O’Farrell (1944–2022)
Author(s)
Miller, Bruce W; Ó Fearghail, Caoimhín P; Kay, Fenton; Ochoa G, José
Published
2023
Publisher
Journal of Mammalogy
Abstract
Mike O’Farrell (Fig. 1) passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, while doing what he had done nearly every day since 1968. Without consideration for the weather and regardless of how many other things he might have planned for the day—he was exercising like someone half his age.Mike was born in Los Angeles, CA, but he spent his formative years in the much smaller desert community of Mojave, CA, and later Las Vegas, NV. It was in Las Vegas while attending Nevada Southern University, soon to be renamed University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) where Mike developed his passion for biology. It is also where, in 1964, he met and courted Theda, whom he married in 1965. Mike and Theda primarily resided in Las Vegas, NV, while raising their three children, Shannon, Caoimhín, and Erin. After completing his undergraduate studies at UNLV, the family moved to Las Vegas, NM, where Mike completed a Master’s degree at New Mexico Highlands University. Working with Eugene Studier his focus was on prenatal and postnatal growth and development of two species of Myotis, M. thysanodes and M. lucifugus occultus (Vespertilionidae). It was at Highlands that he developed a latent fondness for the natural environment and culture of northern New Mexico. Completion of his Master’s was followed by a move back to Nevada, where he completed his Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Reno, followed by a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in South Carolina.

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