Abstract
M. Schubot
Richard M. Schubot, 66, an internationally
known aviculturist, owner of
Avicultural Breeding & Research Cen-
ter and co-owner of Parrot Jungle and
Gardens, died Saturday, May 15, 1993
at his home in Loxahatchee, Florida
after a long illness.
He is survived by his son, Scott rf
Schubot and daughter, Shari Schubot.
Richard was a late comer to the field
of aviculture but during the past 12
years he was able to take giant strides
toward the advancement of avian
research and conservation. In 1981 ,
Richard created the Avicultural Breeding
and Research Center (ABRC) in
Loxahatchee, Florida where he and
his staff did a tremendous job of captive
breeding management of many
exotic birds including some highly
threatened and endangered species.
Under the direction of Richard, ABRC
actively participated in the captive
management and release of the Thickbilled
Parrots here in the U.S. and took
part in the reintroduction program of
the Military Macaw Release Project,
Santa Maria-Zunil, Volcanos National
Park, Quezaltenango, Guatemala.
Through his tireless work, many
times under adverse conditions,
Richard continued to lead the way
toward the betterment of avian life in
captivity. He devoted endless hours
lecturing to bird clubs across the
country, sharing his experiences and
knowledge about his one love, birds.
In 1986, Richard funded the Schubot
Exotic Bird Health Center at
Texas A&M University to benefit avian
research. He was an active member of
many bird organizations including
AAZPA, a life member of the American
Federation of Aviculture (AFA), a
founder and board member of the
Interna tiona! A vicultu rists Society
(lAS).
Richard's dream was to continue to
make life better for exotic birds and he
has shown through his actions that
this is possible, especially if all aviculturists
join together through common
goals- education, captive breeding,
research and conservation.
Scott Schubot will continue with the
great work started by his father at
ABRC. In memory of Richard, contributions
may be made to the International
A viculturists Society or the A vicultural
Breeding & Research Center.
For address information, please call
(407) 793-5135.
Marcia L. Bernard
Through the course of our lives we
cultivate different friendships. Some
stay aquaintances, some become "a
nice person" but rarely are we blessed
with a friend with whom we can truly
be what we are, and still feel loved.
That was the kind of friend Marcia
Bernard was. Honest, sincere, and
caring.
In every circle of aviculture, those
who knew her held her in the highest
regard. They knew her gifts, her talents.
Her masters degree in animal
husbandry gave her the scientific
background she needed to manage
and maintain her flock but her true
successes were brought to life from
within her somewhere. Marcia was
able to combine these two sources to
reach that level of perfection experienced
by very few in her field. She
pored over every journal, every symposium
transcript, every bird-related
piece of material possible. She spent
hours on the phone with people from
every corner of the world, she shared
her knowledge freely to most anyone
who asked. Marcia developed the
handfeeding formula for Hyacinths
that many breeders are using today,
although they may not know its origin
. Very few knew of her accomplishments
and contributions to aviculture
because Marcia wanted it that
way. She was happy with what she
had accomplished and that was
enough for her.
Marcia's birds, husband and personal
life were just that. She didn't
want people to intrude and she didn't
want to be taken advantage of.
Although each and every baby she
raised was specia l to her, her heart
and soul were with those that were
the most difficult to breed and raise.
The most endangered species captivated
her attention and brought her
her greatest successes.
Marcia was a very unique person
not only with her gifts but with her
standards. She set them high for herself
and expected no less than the best
from any person. She lived her life
with purpose, tenderness, love and
respect for herself, her family and for
those who were her friends.
We can all continue to learn from
Marcia and what she believed in and
loved. Those of us who knew her will
miss her so much, but when we see or
touch a Hyacinth, a Major Mitchell, or
just our pet birds we'll know she still
lives in our hea1ts and souls. As more
rare and endangered species are propagated,
we will know that her spirit
lives on and that the world will be a
better place because she was here.
Our deepest sympathies to Marcia's
husband Frank, her family, and the
world of aviculture. We will always
remember and love you , Marcia.
Your Friends , Jacquie , Charlie ,
Keith , Nancye, Karl , Tina, Joe, Tim,
John, Greg, John, Mitzie, Tim, Joe,
Janet and your friends from around
the world.
Donations can be made in Marcia's
memory to: The World Parrot TrustPBFD.