Bio Prof. Taylor Is Dead At Age 56

C. Richard Taylor, Charles P. Lyman professor of biology in the organismic and evolutionary division of the biology department and director of the Concord Field Station died of heart disease on Sunday Sept. 10, at age 56.

Taylor's achievements in science include contributions to the understanding of muscle physiology, particularly in areas of the mechanisms and energetics of animal locomotion.

Taylor was also involved in extensive conservation work and for 25 years he built and directed the Concord Field Station, which is now an important organismal biology research center.

At Harvard, Taylor mentored hundreds of graduate and undergraduate students.

"He was very enthusiastic and encouraging and always very, very supportive," said Susan S. Lee '96, a biology concentrator who was advised by Taylor for two years.

Taylor also authored over 100 original articles and numerous international collaborations with scientists. In 1993 Taylor received an honorary doctor of medicine degree from the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Woodland J. Hastings, Mangelsdorf professor of natural sciences and Pforzheimer House Master, jointly taught physiology courses with Taylor.

"He was an extremely active and happy and engaging person who interacted with faculty and students alike," Hastings said.

Taylor was also a member of the Senior Common Room at Pforzheimer House.

"He was extremely well-liked and interested in many aspects of science as well as many aspects of life," Hastings said.