Charles Henry Racine (Chuck) passed away on January 7, 2014 at the age of 73 after a long illness. Chuck touched the lives of many colleagues and friends. He was a classically trained plant ecologist and an early explorer in many remote areas of Alaska that years later would become units of the National Park System. He continued to work in Alaska every summer for 30 years, in addition to his work at the Center for Northern Studies in Vermont and the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in New Hampshire. He published many scientific papers based on his research, including an article in Nature in 2001 first reporting the striking increases in shrub growth across Alaska in response to climate change.
A friend, scientist, colleague, and mentor to many, Chuck was deeply committed to Alaska. As a fitting memorial that will help others study the Great Land that he loved so much, the Chuck Racine Fund for Field Research has been established at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The goal is to award an annual scholarship for field support to a student pursuing studies that Chuck would have found exciting and worthwhile. Donations can be made online at: http://www.uaf.edu/giving/gift/giving-form/ (indicate "In Memory of Charles H. "Chuck" Racine”). or by check to: UA Foundation PO Box 755080 Fairbanks, AK 99775 Please make checks payable to the "UA Foundation" and include "In Memory of Charles H. "Chuck" Racine" in the note. Additional questions about the fund can be directed to the UAF Development Office at 907-474-2619. Please share this message with those who may have known him. His obituary is available here:http://nwblcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/RacineObituaryScholarship.pdf).
