Gerald "Jerry" Michael Ludwig

Gerald "Jerry" Michael Ludwig, 71, died Nov. 21, 2015, at home in Stuttgart with his family and cat at his side. His plan was ultimately "to be re-cycled into other life forms and minerals". He was born Feb. 22, 1944, in Superior, Wis., to parents who were educators with expectations that all children should be well-educated too. Jerry grew up in Gresham, Wis., and earned degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and Milwaukee, followed by a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Hawaii. Marine biology was the dictating force both professionally and recreationally throughout his life. While working on his Master's, he was employed as Curator of Fish and Ecology at the Milwaukee Public Museum. He created exhibits and participated in collecting expeditions throughout North and Central America, including the Arctic. He enjoyed telling friends about the time he collected sea snakes in Costa Rica and brought them back alive as "snakes on a plane". Jerry and his family next moved to Hawaii where he earned his Ph.D. specializing in the study of coral reef fish. During this time he also worked as a fishery biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and later as the remote islands manager for the Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This involved ecological studies in Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands, plus surveying sea birds and conducting scuba diving surveys of fish in American Samoa, Johnston Atoll and all the Hawaiian Islands. Jerry then transferred to the Florida Keys where he conducted marine fish research in Florida Bay for the USFWS. Following the death of his first wife, Jean, Jerry and his two children moved to Stuttgart, Ark. Here he conducted aquaculture research for the USFWS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 22 years. Jerry was a firm believer in equal opportunity, and won two national federal awards for his leadership in civil rights for federal employees. He published numerous scientific research papers and popular articles about fish farming, and did pioneering work in the culture of fingerling fish food. The Striped Bass Growers Association awarded Jerry a Distinguished Service Award for his research with larval fish culture. He was an expert photographer, and won many national awards from the USFWS and published several cover photographs for Aquaculture magazine. Although originally skeptical about moving to Arkansas, Jerry soon grew to love his life in the Natural State. He enjoyed duck hunting, trout, and wall-eye fishing. Jerry enjoyed dancing, and this led to meeting his second wife, Nancy. He later introduced her to his favorite dance, the polka. Nancy and Jerry spent many weekends dancing, camping, fishing and collecting morel mushrooms. After retiring from USFWS in 2009, he became active again with the Stuttgart Lions Club, ultimately serving as president despite his expressed fears of public speaking. He readily volunteered his services at annual fund-raisers for the Lions Club in the concession booth on July 4th, at the bowling alley for "Bowl for Sight", and at the annual shrimp boil. He developed many good friends throughout the state on international dive trips. His sister Winnie was another of his willing dive buddies on a number of these trips. Trips included the South Pacific, Indian Ocean and Caribbean. His last trip was to the Solomon Islands in August, and he was slated to depart to New Guinea on Nov. 22, the day after he died of pancreatic cancer. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Ludwig, and first wife, Jean Ludwig. He is survived by his mother, Winnifred Ludwig; beloved wife of 23 years, Nancy Ludwig; daughter, Kristine Hoskins (Mark) of Bauxite; son, Daniel Ludwig (Debra) of Gautier, Miss.; grandsons, Ryan Hoskins and Steven and Mathew Ludwig, and stepsons Kermit Key of Little Rock and Kyle Key (Carmela) of Santa Fe, N.M. Surviving brothers are Theodore (Lisa), Robert (Bing), Lawrence (Marie), William (Kathy), John (Ruth), Edward, and sisters Winnifred (Charles) Aitch and Mary (Chuck) Miller. He is also survived by many in-laws with Nancy's siblings and spouses. The family appreciates the expert care given by Drs. Schafer, Raval, and Shah in the Hematology/Oncology Division at the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Also, to the ever-professional RNs and other health care team members on floor 7H at University Hospital. Hospice Home Care of Pine Bluff also provided exemplary care in Jerry's final days. A remembrance of Jerry's life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Stuttgart Lions Club, P.O. Box 35, Stuttgart, Ark. 72160. Jerry had many friends, whether it be those for mushroom hunting, or diving companions, hunting buddies, fish research-associated friends, those sitting in the boat with him for long hours on a fishing trip, or a family member, Jerry will most likely be remembered for his quiet quizzical smile, his kindness to others no matter their position, the clearing of his throat before a well-thought out answer, or his willingness to share his time to help a kid with homework. Jerry remained ever-sharp, smiling, considerate and appreciative, and said "thank-you" up until his final day. Please go to www.turpin-co.com to share your memories of and tributes to Jerry.