Dan Clark Holliman, Ph. D.

Dan Clark Holliman, Ph.D. 76, of Birmingham, AL died Thursday, February 19, 2009 at his daughter's residence in Valdosta, GA. He was born in Jefferson County, AL on August 25, 1932 to the late Murray and Kathleen Hyde Holliman.

Dr. Holliman retired as the Ada Rittenhouse Snavely Professor of Biology at Birmingham –Southern College in 2000 after teaching and performing research for 44 years. He also taught college classes at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab on Dauphin Island, AL as well as Galapagos Islands and in the Amazon River Valley at the first International rain forest symposium in Peru. He has taught honor courses on Henry David Thoreau and studied under Thoreau scholars at Concord, Massachusetts. He has worked with the State of Alabama Department of Conservation and Resources, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Science Foundation, Coastal Area Board of Alabama and NASA. He was on the staff of the Alabama Museum of Natural History as Curator of Mammalogy and had been contributing editor for the quarterly series of "Nature South".

Dr. Holliman has authored 35 scientific papers and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. His field of research interest includes: rare and endangered species, avian and mammalian ecology with emphasis on the taxonomy of aquatic macro invertebrates. The subjects of his research ranged from red-cockaded woodpeckers, beach mice, wetlands and land use studies in the southeastern U. S. His research on beach mice led to the listing of this species as being endangered. He worked for Alabama Power Company in water quality studies using aquatic macro invertebrate as ecological indicators and projects involving red-cockaded woodpeckers and hacking peregrine falcons. His work with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Resources on clapper rails, common snipe and purple gallinules contributed to the knowledge of these natural resources. His work with the Coastal area Board knowledge describing the 1979 storm damage to Spartina marshes and the levels of birds and mammals of the coastal zone. His work with NASA involved refining floral signatures for coastal vegetation and colonial bird nesting habitat on the Alabama Gulf Coast. He helped establish the first Rare and Endangered Species Symposium in Alabama. He contributed data for the publication of a Nation Plan for Migratory birds published by the U. S. Department of Interior. He has contributed data on birds and mammals that aided in the establishment on the Bankhead Wilderness.

Dr. Holliman's selected honors include: Excellence in Teaching Award ODK – 1992; Legacy Award for the creation of the Greystone Educational Wetland – 1995; State of Alabama Governor's Award by the Alabama Wildlife Federation for the WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR – 1996; Recognition of Exemplary Teaching in a Methodist related college – 1997; Project Direct for an Environmental Initiative in conjunction with Daniel corporation, Birmingham-Southern College and the Cahaba River Society – 1998; Award from Dauphin Island Sea Lab for continuous service from 1962-2000; Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Education, Birmingham-Southern college – 2006.

Dr. Holliman has been active on the Hoover Tree committee and has published a brochure, "The Small Mammals and Birds of Aldridge Gardens" for the city of Hoover. On March 1, 2007 Dr. Holliman received the prestigious GARDNER AWARD that was awarded by the Alabama Academy of Science for notable achievements in the field of science in Alabama. He was a Korean War Veteran.

Dr. Holliman is survived by one daughter, Diane Carol Holliman of Valdosta, GA one sister, Jane Holliman of Madison, AL, one brother, David Holliman of Kimberly, AL, a nephew, David Brooks of Birmingham, AL, many students, friends and colleagues. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Chapel In The Pine Presbyterian Church USA, 2269 Chapel Road, Birmingham, AL 35226. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 14, 2009 at two p. m. with Reverend Pat Rabun officiating. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at mclanefuneralservices.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home, 2215 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31602.


Cemetery:
No Burial

Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602

Visitation:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602