He was one of my two 'distance mentors' - men I never got to meet but who strongly influenced my love of animals and nature (and music with the second). I watched his shows every chance I got, I wanted SO much to go to his zoo and meet him and the family, and I saw past the showy nature of what he did to the core - to show folks what beautiful, wonderful creatures reptiles are.

I cried all day when he died, and for a month after whenever I saw a picture or a TV clip. Like my first mentor, he died before I got a chance to meet him and share the enthusiasm and love for what he did. I will always miss him, and if I ever get the chance to have that refuge I always wanted, his initials will be part of the name.

For those who wonder, my other mentor was John Denver. I was named after one of his songs, and he was always my inspiration for my singing as well as my love of nature and wildlife.