The WRRC’s first newsletter, the precursor newsletter (1973-1987) to the AWR, was called the Arizona Water Resources News Bulletin. It was published on behalf of its contributors, including, at various times, the WRRC, Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona State Lands Department, Arizona Department of Health Services, and the UA Office of Arid Land Studies. Its editors represented each of its contributors, and Jim DeCook acted as the editor for the WRRC.
In its history, the WRRC has had only a few newsletter editors: Jim DeCook, Joe Gelt, and Susanna Eden. Gray Wilson served briefly in 1984-6 between Jim and Joe. Joe and Susanna are still among the living, but Jim died a year ago in April 2017. It is fitting, therefore, that in this, our penultimate newsletter, we remember Jim, as well as Gray Wilson, who died in October 2011.
Dr. Kenneth James DeCook lived and worked for most of his life in Tucson. He attended Mansfield Jr. High and Tucson High School, and after WWII service in the Navy, he returned to Tucson to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona. He went to Austin, Texas for his Masters in Geology from the University of Texas, but came back again to UA for a Doctorate in Hydrology. Recognized in his lifetime for his contributions to water research in Arizona, Jim spent most of his professional career doing research and teaching hydrology at his Arizona alma mater. He also contributed to hydrological and geological studies in Texas during his time there. His association with the WRRC lasted until his retirement. Throughout a career spanning more than 40 years, his research and publications focused on water management issues ranging from the wastewater reuse and water conservation to artificial recharge and rainfall utilization; issues that are still with us today. In 1959, the Arizona Republic carried a story on research carried out by Sol Resnick, WRRC founder and early director, and Jim Decook, testing the use of floodwaters for underground recharge.
Loren Graham (Gray) Wilson was well-known for his research and publications on groundwater recharge and the hydrology of the vadose zone (the area between land surface and the water table). He was a scientist with wide-ranging interests. For the WRRC, he produced many publications from his applied research on artificial recharge, groundwater pollution, subsurface characterization, and water reuse, among other topics. In 1997, he received a special award for his contributions to recharge at the biennial International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge, and in 2003, received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Arizona Hydrological Society. He began his career in Arizona as an Assistant Hydrologist under Sol Resnick in the Institute of Water Utilization, the precursor organization to the WRRC, and served as acting director of the WRRC for 18 months from 1984 to 1985. The Handbook of Vadose Zone Characterization & Monitoring, which he co-edited, is still in use.
In the following, Floyd Marsh, who was both a professional associate and close friend, provides a reflection on the immense impact that Jim had on those who knew him. These comments follow a brief announcement and memorial recognition for Dr. K. James (“Jim”) DeCook, which was included in the April 20, 2018, WRRC Weekly Wave (Volume 6, Issue 16).
A Personal Remembrance of Jim DeCook
by Floyd Marsh, Hydrologist
Jim DeCook was a distinguished alumnus of the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources (as it was known at the time) and valued colleague to many faculty and students formerly affiliated with the Department and WRRC. Those who worked with him on their M.S. theses, Ph.D. dissertations, and research projects knew him as a humble and supportive advisor. He was a quiet and unassuming man who enjoyed his profession, the outdoors and being with family and close friends. After moving to Arizona from Indiana in his early youth, Jim grew to love and respect the Southwest environment. In his personal time, he took advantage of the vast outdoor opportunities that living in the desert Southwest provides, while sharing this time with his many friends and family members. One of his numerous outdoor passions was hiking the local desert and mountain trails. He enjoyed hiking treks near home in the desert Southwest and abroad in the European Alps. It seemed there was never a trail he didn’t enjoy for both the challenge and pure beauty. Further evidence of his pleasure in being outdoors were the Thanksgiving and Christmas potlucks including grilled turkey and all the holiday trimmings in Saguaro National Monument and Catalina State Park with family and close friends. Wind sailing a small catamaran and fishing in nearby Silverbell Lake, Patagonia Lake, and Big Lake in the mountains with friends; beach camping near Puerto Libertard, Mexico, a small fishing village near Puerto Peñasco and piloting a glider in the sky above Marana put him in touch with Mother Nature and all its beauty. Jim, who passed away April 14, 2017, will be remembered by those who know him well, not only for his professional contributions, but also as an outdoor enthusiast and dear friend.