Gerald Francis Shields, 79, died unexpectedly in Helena on April 1, was a devoted husband to his wife Pat, and an internationally respected evolutionary research biologist, and a gifted teacher with a lifelong interest in ornithology. His academic career spanned five decades. He was the James J. Manion Endowed Chair of Biological Sciences at Carroll College (1999-2017) and was Professor Emeritus in Biology and Research at the Institute of Arctic Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks (1975-1999). He received the Carroll College Academic Achievement Award in 1996, and Distinguished Scholar Award in 2017.
Gerry was born in Anaconda, Montana to Margaret and Anthony Shields. He was a competitive guy and was interested in sports his entire life. At Anaconda Central High School, he lettered in football, basketball and track coached by the late Jack Oberweiser, Sr. and the late Patrick Curren. He later followed hockey, UAF Nanooks, Colorado Avalanche, Seattle Kraken, as well as the Seahawks and Mariners. He occasionally attended live games with his adult children and grandchildren. Gerry and Pat were season ticket holders for Carroll sports.
He was a thoughtful reader of history and biography and had a lifelong interest in politics and public affairs. As a high school senior, with assistance from his beloved uncle, Harry McGreevy, he coordinated his mother’s one and only bid for public office. She was elected Deer Lodge County Superintendent of Schools by a mere 117 votes. Following the election, Gerry dubbed her “Landslide.”
Growing up Gerry’s interest in biology developed early. He had a menagerie of pets that included frogs, turtles, and a pair of parakeets named Pete and Repete. In his early teens, he won a contest at a local grocery store by guessing the age of a Beagle puppy. The prize winner had a choice between fifty dollars or the dog. Gerry chose “Duke” the puppy.
He received his Bachelors Degree in Biology from Carroll College (1966), his Masters in Biology at Central Washington State College, Ellensburg, Washington (1970), and his PhD in Zoology, University of Toronto (1974). Gerry was a prolific academic writer and authored or coauthored numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles which appeared in national and international scientific journals. His work included original discoveries concerning birds, bears, Native people, and black flies.
He was very proud that many of his undergraduate students did scientific research and had articles published, an accomplishment not common at the undergraduate level. He was a gifted classroom teacher. He always said his students challenged him and kept him at the top of his game. He took pride in the scientific and medical accomplishments of his former students, and many were his life-long friends.
For many years he offered a popular summertime bird watching course at Carroll. During the course, he took many local bird watchers and novices to diverse locations through out Lewis and Clark County. He had an uncanny knack for spotting birds everywhere.
He married Patricia Walsh in Lewistown, Montana. They had two children, John and Kelly. Gerry and Pat were married 54 years and traveled extensively world-wide. They observed bird and animal species on all seven continents even seeing the live birth of an elephant in Africa. Just prior to his death, they had just returned from Chile where they, their children along with their long-time friends, Candie Cane and Kathy Osen sited two Puma in the wild.
Over the past twenty years, the highlight of Gerry’s year was the annual multi-day summer hike in Glacier National Park with dozens of family members and friends. Over the years, this adventurous group traversed most the trails in Glacier. It was a time for family and friends to hike, eat great meals, share a good bottle of wine (several) and complain about aching muscles.
Pat and his family were his anchor from his days teaching and coaching at Billings Central High School to his final trip to Chile. He was a devoted son and loyal brother. Gerry enjoyed the company of his adult children and grandchildren, Olen and Alison.
In addition to his wife Pat Shields of Helena, he is survived by his son John Shields, Cheney, WA, his daughter Kelly Shields and his son-in-law Angel Calvo, Seattle, WA and his grandchildren Olen Shields, Cheney, WA, and Alison Shields, Spokane WA. He is survived by his sister Margaret Anne (Russ) Hanson, Phoenix, AZ and by his brothers William (Judy) Shields, Surprise, AZ and Mike Shields (Opal Winebrenner), Helena. Also surviving are his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; James and Katherine Walsh, Oberlin, OH, Douglas and Sharon Walsh, Lewistown, MT, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Tony Shields, and his in-laws, Lucia (Lou) and Leo Walsh, and his brothers-in-law, Lawrence Walsh and Charles Walsh.
Ever the scientist, Gerry’s remains were donated to the WWAMI Medical Research program at Montana State University. The family acknowledges the assistance of the medical staff of Helena’s St. Peter’s Hospital: Dr. Sarah Fenton, Dr. Timothy Messy, Dr. Stephen Mest, and the dedicated nursing staff: Lara Lovelace, Sarah Riggs, and Tom Cannon.
Memorial services will take place on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Carroll College Physical Education Center Conference Room on the Carroll College campus from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.
Memorials are suggested to: Montana Wild Montana Legacy Foundation, P. O. Box 845, Helena, MT 59624; Yellowstone Forever, P. O. Box 1857, Bozeman, MT 59771-1857; Glacier National Park Conservancy P. O. Box 2749, Columbia Falls, MT 59912, or simply take a drive to Butte and have a Pork Chop John’s sandwich (Mercury Street location) and think of Gerry.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday April 21, 2023
Carroll College Physical Education Center Conference Room
Helena,
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Friday April 21, 2023
Carroll College Physical Education Center Conference Room
Helena,
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Barbara & Bryan Jabara says
A lovely tribute to a wonderful man, who is gone too soon. Rest in peace Gerry, may your memory be eternal.
William Procunier says
Hi Pat and family
a sad time with the passing of Gerry; a lot of good times in Alaska and down thru the years- he certainly made his mark in the field of evolutionary biology
all the best
Bill
William Procunier PhD, FRSTM&H
Doug Currie says
Dear Pat and family,
So sorry to hear about the unexpected passing of Gerry. I enjoyed connecting with you and Gerry at various black fly meetings, and especially appreciated his generosity and kindness in collaborative research with my lab. Wishing you all the best during this difficult time.
Lindee Strizich says
Dear Pat and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Gerry. He made such a profound and positive impact on the lives of so many of his students (me included). It was an honor to have known him and to have been mentored by him.
Sincerely,
Lindee Strizich
Neil Peterson says
Dear Pat and family,
Debbie and I are going to miss seeing Gerry at Carroll basketball games. We will miss his insight into the game and his critique of the officiating. It brightened our game experience when you and Gerry showed up at the game. May you find peace and solace and remember all the good times. I know Debbie and I will.
Neil and Debbie Peterson
Jeanette M Fregulia says
Sending my prayers to Pat and family. Gerry will remain a part of so many of my memories of Carroll, and a true inspiration. May his memory be a blessing.
jeanette m fregulia
Mike Bishop says
I remember Gerry as a young (fresh out of Carroll College) biology teacher/football coach at BillingsCentral. I subsequently became reacquainted with Gerry as a neighbor and ornithology professor. He said I was the only student to take both his lab and field ornithology classes. He instilled in me a (remainder of my) life long passion of birding.
Gerry was always pleasant, witty, knowledgeable and had a wry smile on his face.
We are stunned at the loss of the lean, ever walking young man that we were honored to fall a “FRIEND”.
Abby Rausch says
When I was nearly done with college, I decided to take a birdwatching course to get my final three science credits over and done with… I was looking for something easy and quick, and was so surprised to completely fall in love with birding. Taking that course turned out to be one of the better decisions I’ve made in my life.
Professor Shields and the many dedicated birders who audited the class profoundly affected me that summer, and I’m so grateful for the lasting impact that has had in my life. I was thinking about that class a few weeks ago when I was up watching the snow goose migration at Freezout — standing in a field at dawn thinking about how lucky I am to have been shown the magic of birds by someone so passionate. That two week birding course changed my perspective and opened my eyes to a really wonderful way to see and be with nature. I’m extremely grateful for that.
I was so very sorry to hear he had passed — rest in peace. Your family is in my thoughts.
Tim and Liz Moore says
Pat and family! Liz and I are so sorry to hear about Jerry’s passing. We greatly enjoyed out time as neighbors on University. He was always a pleasure to visit with! Our prayers are with you and the family!
Gwynn Mundinger says
Pat and family
You have my deep sympathy after suddenly losing Gerry. He was a wonderful colleague at Carroll College. He was engaged and enthused about his students and his research. The community will miss his kind presence.
Peace to you, Pat, and the family
Cat and Scott Joyner says
Pat and family,
You and Gerry have been the best neighbors anyone could ever hope for. Gerry was such a wonderful man and always so friendly and happy when we crossed paths. His passing is such a shock – he will be deeply missed by the neighborhood.
Wishing you peace and comfort in fond memories,
Cat and Scott Joyner
Henry Lussy says
Gerry was a fine friend and a good water-skier back in the 60,s
Pres Smeltzer says
Patty, so sorry to learn of Gerry’s passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. Although life sent us on wildly divergent pathways, I fondly remember the years I shared with Gerry, you, and the Walsh family.
Janice Cori-Cobb says
I am privileged to have been among the many students to have studied with Professor Shields, as a graduate student, at University of Alaska Fairbanks; Professor Shields has engendered within me, an endless series of epiphanies, through which I am exponentially blessed.