Lee Ischinger

Lee S. Ischinger, age 65, of Fort Collins, passed away in his home surrounded by loved ones, Friday, May 29, 2009. Lee was born June 23, 1943 in Chicago, IL to Arthur and Eunice Ischinger. He married Julie Berger on July 10, 1965 in Chicago, IL. He was a graduate of Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Invertebrate Zoology 1965 and a Master of Science in Aquatic Biology 1967. Lee was a professional scientist and supervisory manager with private and Federal agencies. He authored and co-authored over 20 scientific publications. As part of the Western Energy and Land Use Team of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, he defined and completed the first National Fisheries Survey and pioneered the application of geospatial technology to aquatic systems through the computerized River Reach File. Lee served in several leadership roles in the Service, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Geological Survey, and launched a variety of interdisciplinary teams to address complex and challenging natural research problems. He retired after 32 years of Federal service in 2002. Lee was the founder and served as President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists from 1984 to 1986. He served as the International Convention Chair for the Society of Wetland Scientists in 1987, 1992 and 1997. He was the Vice President of the Society of Wetland Scientists in 1992 and President of the Society from 1993 to 1994. In addition, Lee was a certified firearm instructor with the U.S. Geological Survey and a Regional firearms safety manager for the Central Region of the U.S. Geological Survey from 1998 to 2002. Lee was a member of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America since 1961. He was one of the founders of the Fort Collins SPEBSQSA chapter. He became a member of the Loveland chapter when the Fort Collins and Loveland chapters merged. He was named "barber shopper of the year" for the Rocky Mountain District in 1994 and the Loveland Chapter in 1993. Lee served as President of the Fort Collins Chapter from 1987 to 1988, and President of the Loveland Chapter from 1996 to 1997. He was the member of the Barber Shop Quartet Preservation Association from 2005 to 2009. He served as a member of the steering committee and as secretary. Lee is survived by his wife Julie Berger Ischinger; son, Reid Ischinger of Fort Collins; daughter, Allison Schanaman Daniel of Minneapolis, MN; his mother Eunice Ischinger of Fort Collins; brother, Martin Ischinger Carol of Fairfax, VA and two grandsons, Sandis Ischinger and Jack Schanaman. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, June 23rd at Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins. Memorial contributions can be made to Pathways Hospice in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Ft. Collins, CO 80524.