Longtime Jackson resident Bertram “Bert” Chester Raynes died Jan. 1 at his home surrounded by friends and caregivers. The following was written by Franz Camenzind and provided by his friends, even though Raynes would have shunned such attention.
Raynes, a self-taught naturalist, bird enthusiast, author and Jackson Hole News&Guide columnist, was born March 12, 1924, in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he spent most of his childhood. His parents, Morris Raynes and Celia (Mukashey), were immigrants from Poland and Russia, respectively. He jokingly referred to himself as a “Jersey Boy,” but his heart and soul were at home in Jackson Hole, where he spent the last half of his life. Once, when asked of his heritage, his reply was succinct: “European horse thieves.”
Bert received his Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1948 and his Master of Science in chemistry in 1949 from Union College, Schenectady, New York. His thesis was titled, “The Determination of Particle Terminal and Transport Velocities.”
Penn State was where he met Margaret “Meg” Schaeffer, who was to become his lifelong Muse. They were married Aug. 17, 1944. Bert was a tall man, well over 6 feet, and as he told the story, he had his eye out “for a lady of appropriate stature.” It was at a college function that, across the room, he caught sight of such a lady. Thus began a loving union that ended only with Meg’s death 53 years later.
Before moving into the home they designed in Skyline Ranch in 1972, Bert worked as an assistant at the General Electric Research Lab in Schenectady. He went on to work as a chemical engineer for Brush Beryllium Company in Ohio and eventually became a vice president for Rand Development Company. True to his inquisitive nature, his name appears on several patents ranging from how to remove oxygen from metals to developing a procedure for reinforced soft solder joints.
During his first years in Jackson he worked as a consulting chemical engineer, for which he was recognized by “Marquis Who’s Who.” A little-known facet of Bert’s career was his advocacy for the best wastewater treatment processes and facilities possible.
It was Bert’s love of nature, and especially birds, for which he is best known. He credited Meg for opening the door to the joys of the natural world. He described her influence in what has become his signature writing style: “Meg grew up in a small town, knowing farm life and open spaces. I grew up in a highly urbanized setting. Innocent of mother nature. A perfect match.” Indeed, this perfect match explored, learned and celebrated the natural world for half a century. First through fly-fishing and then bird watching; big birds at first and eventually being able to identify species by their calls alone. He was an inspired leader of the Jackson Hole Bird and Nature Club.
In Jackson Hole, Bert discovered an abundance of environmental opportunities. He was an early leader of the Teton Science School and taught numerous field courses. When his friend, Jackson Hole New outdoor columnist Dan Abrams, retired, Bert took over the responsibility of reporting bird sightings, not as an addendum to a column, as was the nature of Abrams’ work, but as a stand-alone column.
Michael Sellett, publisher of the Jackson Hole News at the time, doubted that a column “reporting the sightings of nuthatches and grosbeaks” could attract a significant readership. But later, in the forward to Bert’s book “The Curmudgeon Chronicles” Sellett wrote, “As I have learned over the years, Bert is easy to underestimate.” Referring to the success of Bert’s column, “Field Notes,” later titled “Far Afield,” Sellett said, “Nuthatch and grosbeak sightings were gradually relegated to the end of the column, upstaged by wry observations on politics, science, popular culture and man’s foibles.”
Although Bert shunned the spotlight he delighted in sharing his observations and musing with others. His door was always open, his phone always ringing with enthusiastic friends reporting bird sightings or asking questions of most any aspect of the valley’s natural world. Folks just knew Bert would oblige. And even if an identification was conspicuously in error, he would listen and politely describe why what the excited bird watcher saw was likely something quite different. He never lectured; he shared. He never spoke down to folks; his nature was to converse with them. He was a listener.
As his close friend Peter Ward said, “Few people have such a devoted following of local friends who enjoy being with him. He was bright, curious, thoughtful, knowledgeable but humble. He relished helping others appreciate birds, nature, life. He was patient even if he disagreed. He sought more gentle ways to change opinions. I realized early on that I should listen to every word carefully because he was very succinct. He was very gentle, but could be firm if he felt it was needed.”
For nearly four decades Bert penned his column. Much to the chagrin of his editors, and to his great delight, Bert took pride in a particular trait he had in common with Barack Obama: They both did their writing upon yellow legal pads. Though he owned a computer, Bert never learned to type.
Besides his weekly columns, Bert wrote over half a dozen books and the first complete checklists of the birds of Jackson Hole. “The Curmudgeon Chronicles” is a collection of many of his “Far Afield” columns and perhaps best represents Bert’s wit and musings of humankind’s foibles. He used a quote from the novelist Dorothy Parker to describe the book: “This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.” If Bert truly was a curmudgeon, then he deserves a wink and a nod from his cohorts.
Bert the naturalist comes through in his book “Valley So Sweet,” in which he chronicles his impressions of the seasons of Jackson Hole.
As much as the book describes Bert’s observations, it also chronicles his own growth as a self-taught naturalist, and a darn good one at that. Reading it, you come to know his passion for the natural world in a manner only his inquisitive eyes could discover and his unique writing could capture. If you missed him in real life, read and ponder his writings. You will come to know one of the best of our times.
Bert may have been educated as a chemical engineer, but he and his Meg taught each other the wonders of the natural world. We are all better for what they saw, what they witnessed, what he came to write about and so willingly shared. His writings give us insight to the interconnectedness of all things large and small — including our place in his valley so sweet.
Bert and Meg were active in environmental causes, particularly water and wildlife issues. But as they grew older and their ability to put “boots on the ground” diminished, they began discussing what they might do “past their time.” Having no children and observing that many important projects and research needs were often lost for lack of financial support, they wondered how they might help. As Bert has said, “This was all just conversation between us until Meg died.”
Soon after and with the encouragement of friends, Bert established the Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund. To date the fund has supported over 60 regional wildlife research projects. Projects that without the fund’s support may never have occurred. Not only has the fund added to the body of natural history knowledge, it has also launched the careers of many young, future scientists.
Coincidentally, Bert was instrumental in bringing citizen scientists to the forefront with the Nature Mapping program now coordinated by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation.
As Bert’s reputation and stature within the community grew, so too did the accolades. In 2001 he was awarded the prestigious Rungius Medal by the National Museum of Wildlife Art, followed in 2005 with the Outstanding Conservationist of the Year award given by the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance. In 2007, Bert was inducted into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. And in 2018 he received the Murie Spirit of Conservation Award from the Murie Ranch and Teton Science Schools.
Bert was mostly immobile during his last years but blessed with a bevy of wonderful and loving caregivers for whom he and his many friends are grateful. To all of them and for his doctor, Bruce Hayse, a simple “thank you” seems so insufficient.
Bert is preceded in death by his beloved wife Meg, his parents and his brother Franklin. Bert is survived by a niece, Janice Russo, in Pennsylvania, a nephew, Harry Schulze, in Washington state, and his many friends throughout the country.
A community celebration of Bert’s life will be held when it is safe to do so without social distancing and masks.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Meg and Bert Raynes Wildlife Fund, P.O. Box 1932, Wilson, WY 83014.
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