Bob Truett: Difference between revisions
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'''Bob Truett''' (born in Jacksonville, Texas) was director of the [[Birmingham Zoo]] from [[September 1]], [[1960]] to [[1989]] and from [[1992]] to [[2000]]. | '''Felix Bob Truett''' (born [[1932]] in Jacksonville, Texas) was director of the [[Birmingham Zoo]] from [[September 1]], [[1960]] to [[1989]] and from [[1992]] to [[2000]]. | ||
Truett was raised in Texas and the vicinity of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and spent a few years in the U.S. Army. During part of his service he was the wildlife conservation officer at Fort Chaffee. He worked at the Alum Rock Park Zoo in San Jose, California and the Cincinnati Zoo before being hired to manage the reptile house at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. He was brought to Birmingham to succeed [[Tom Briskey]] as director. | Truett was raised in Texas and the vicinity of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with high honors in [[1955]] and spent a few years in the U.S. Army. During part of his service he was the wildlife conservation officer at Fort Chaffee. He worked at the Alum Rock Park Zoo in San Jose, California and the Cincinnati Zoo before being hired to manage the reptile house at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. He was brought to Birmingham to succeed [[Tom Briskey]] as director. | ||
Truett inherited a troubled park with very few resources to properly maintain and improve its facilities. Over time he ushered in improvements in management that allowed the zoo to survive. | Truett inherited a troubled park with very few resources to properly maintain and improve its facilities. Over time he ushered in improvements in management that allowed the zoo to survive. | ||
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Truett retired in [[2000]] and was succeeded by [[Bruce Read]]. | Truett retired in [[2000]] and was succeeded by [[Bruce Read]]. | ||
During his tenure in Birmingham, Truett and his | During his tenure in Birmingham, Truett and his wife, Lisa lived in the [[WPA]]-built [[Zoo Lodge|director's house]] in [[Lane Park]]. He kept several pets, including five dogs and a boa constrictor. | ||
Truett has been active in the [[Alabama Freethought Association]]. | Truett has been active in the [[Church Of The Natural Way]] and the [[Alabama Freethought Association]], and was the owner and manager of the [[Gymno-Vita Park]], a nudist camp near [[Pell City]]. He caused some confusion in early [[1984]] when he accidentally listed the zoo's telephone number in a classified ad for the nudist camp. | ||
==References== | |||
* "A nudist zoo?" (January 25, 1984) Associated Press | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Truett, Bob}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Truett, Bob}} | ||
[[Category:US Army officers]] | [[Category:US Army officers]] | ||
[[Category:Birmingham Zoo]] | [[Category:Birmingham Zoo]] | ||
Revision as of 14:05, 3 September 2015
Felix Bob Truett (born 1932 in Jacksonville, Texas) was director of the Birmingham Zoo from September 1, 1960 to 1989 and from 1992 to 2000.
Truett was raised in Texas and the vicinity of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with high honors in 1955 and spent a few years in the U.S. Army. During part of his service he was the wildlife conservation officer at Fort Chaffee. He worked at the Alum Rock Park Zoo in San Jose, California and the Cincinnati Zoo before being hired to manage the reptile house at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo. He was brought to Birmingham to succeed Tom Briskey as director.
Truett inherited a troubled park with very few resources to properly maintain and improve its facilities. Over time he ushered in improvements in management that allowed the zoo to survive.
Truett served as an Accreditation Commissioner of the American Zoological Association from 1974 to 1979.
Truett retired in 2000 and was succeeded by Bruce Read.
During his tenure in Birmingham, Truett and his wife, Lisa lived in the WPA-built director's house in Lane Park. He kept several pets, including five dogs and a boa constrictor.
Truett has been active in the Church Of The Natural Way and the Alabama Freethought Association, and was the owner and manager of the Gymno-Vita Park, a nudist camp near Pell City. He caused some confusion in early 1984 when he accidentally listed the zoo's telephone number in a classified ad for the nudist camp.
References
- "A nudist zoo?" (January 25, 1984) Associated Press