It’s a privilege to represent the Zoo Docents and share with you their affection for Ira, and their pride in this occasion.
Ira LOVED the Zoo! Next to his beloved family, he loved the Zoo best! Ira respected every animal and every keeper. He respected every Docent colleague ... every staff person ... every visitor ... he respected every nook and cranny and blade of grass in these 40 acres!
After his retirement as a pharmacist and pharmacy owner, Ira volunteered in several challenging areas ... but when he came to the zoo in 1988, this life-long animal lover found his niche! For more than 20 years he was teacher, trainer, tour guide and mentor to all. With the Education Department, he presented dozens of Animal Zoomobiles in schools, nursing homes, and Hasbro Children’s Hospital. He loved coming in early in the morning, before the Zoo opened, to walk Willy the donkey, or the goats -- sometimes holding the leash ... sometimes following with a broom and dustpan! Ira worked countless extra shifts on the grounds and many hours on committees and special events. Ira logged over 9,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS !!
AND HE NEVER MISSED A TEACHING MOMENT!
Ginny and Wendy recall that one afternoon, having completed the Docent Training Program, they were walking their first shift,. feeling insecure, hoping fervently that they would not run into a visitor and have to practice their new skills ... when they came upon Ira. He sensed their insecurity, took them under his wing and spent an entire afternoon gently teaching and coaxing them into confidence. Years later, Wendy and Ginny, and many other docents, have continued to follow in his footsteps!
Another thing we all loved about Ira: he had a wicked sense of humor. He would tease, but never embarrass, and he always had the perfect joke or outrageous story on the tip of his tongue! The Thursday Morning Docent Team Meeting would often erupt with such uproarious hoots of laughter that a curious Education staff person might peek in to see what on earth was going on ... whereupon Ira would assume a posture and visage of utter innocence, which would just make the laughter louder! He was a scamp!
A few more quotes about Ira:
"a grand story teller"
"His interpretative talks were mesmerizing"
"He was fair and open to persons of every age and language and ability"
"He was smart ... brilliant ... funny ... his smiles and hugs made everyone feel special"
"incredible memory for obscure facts"
"loved everyone equally"
"the Zoo Guru"
"a gentle man who was a gentleman"
There is a hole in the collective heart of the Zoo since Ira died. His presence in every corner of the Zoo grounds is sorely missed. It is entirely fitting that the Veterinary Hospital Pharmacy be dedicated to his memory.
Donna wrote some delightful verse about Ira ... let me close with her last few lines:
“What he gave to the Zoo we can hardly measure ...
Great docent ... great friend ... truly a treasure.
Now a lasting gift he’d be humbled to see ...
His name ... forever ... on the Zoo’s pharmacy!”
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