Ferrington , Jr . ( 1948-2021 ) : Chironomid cognoscente and modern-day Renaissance man

“Let’s look at some chironomids!” Many of Dr. Leonard “Len” C. Ferrington Jr.’s students heard this phrase as he walked into the lab with an excited smile on his face. Len’s enthusiasm for chironomid research whether it be time at the microscope or out in the field was infectious. Whenever a student came to his office describing a new or unique observation or an unknown midge, he would always drop what he was doing to check it out and provide his input. Once he saw these discoveries, he would give you an enthusiastic, but knowing smile and then often describe the localities where he had also made a similar observation or found the same midge. Usually, any interaction with Len would branch out into an extended discussion of some ecological or taxonomic topic and ideas for future research. He always had new ideas to contribute, and certainly had no plans to retire (“Why would I want to do that?!” was a common response when asked). Sadly, Len passed away unexpectedly, on September 11, 2021, while bicycling on the Root River Trail, near Lanesboro, Minnesota.

. Len Ferrington in Iceland in 2018 (this photo was used to announce his election in 2021 as a Society for Freshwater Science Fellow: https://freshwater-science.org/awards-programs/sfs-fellows). Photographer unknown.
Born in 1948 in Murrysville, PA, Len joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966 after graduating from Franklin Regional High School. He served in Vietnam as a Corporal in the 3rd Marine Division and was honorably discharged from service in 1972. During his time in Vietnam, he earned several medals, including a Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He went on to study at the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Doctorate degree specializing in Entomology under William Coffman. He held tenured academic positions at both the University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA (1980 and the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA (2000to 2021.
Len made many contributions to science, particularly to the taxonomy and ecology of Chironomidae. During his 41-year academic career as a Professor and Scientist, Len was a prolific researcher who collaborated with colleagues in 52 countries on six continents. Len's research program consisted of several areas of emphasis including: taxonomy and systematics, biodiversity, responses of aquatic insects to pollution, their roles in stream ecology, and aquatic resource sustainability, with most of his research questions centered around stories told by the Chironomidae. Although Len clearly displayed a strong focus on chironomid Figure 2. Len Ferrington in Vietnam in 1967. Photographer unknown. taxonomy and ecology, his research interests were diverse, and he brought his expertise and enthusiasm to other realms of freshwater biology as well, including biological monitoring, aquatic insect gut fungi, fish diets, Mecoptera diversity, and winter hardiness.
Len authored or co-authored over one hundred peer-reviewed articles, nearly thirty externally reviewed technical reports, several online resources, and multiple book chapters, all relating to the field of freshwater science; a bibliography of Len's publications follows. These include many important taxonomic contributions including the description of 4 chironomid genera, 49 chironomid species, and the re-description of 107 chironomid species. Len also described 4 genera and 12 species of trichomycetes (sensu lato) which include fungi and protists dwelling in the guts of arthropods. In addition to describing many species, a midge genus (Ferringtonia Saether and Andersen) and two species of midge (Odontomesa ferringtoni Saether and Orthocladius ferringtoni Soponis) were named in his honor. Notably, Len made a profound impact through his authorship in four editions of a key freshwater science resource, An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America by Merritt, Cummins, and Berg, which many use daily to identify aquatic insects. Tracey Anderson, a graduate student of Len's, described an early edition of Merritt and Cummins as one of the few books she wore out and that it now holds a special place on her shelf. Like many aquatic biologists, Len loved field work. Whether he was collecting in an urban stream in Kansas, a spring-fed trout stream in the middle of a Minnesota winter, or a lake on the steppes of Mongolia, he was always enthusiastic. Few researchers relish leaving the warmth of the indoors during the middle of winter in lieu of conducting field work in sub-zero temperatures. Len, however, thrived in these conditions. He found a passion for studying cold-hardy chironomids and could be described as 'cold hardy' himself, spending hours on snow banks flanking spring-fed streams, vials in hand, in search of winter-emerging insects to scoop up for studies on longevity, behavior, and diversity. Although Len did his part to contribute to the knowledge of winter-active midges in Kansas, once he relocated further north in Minnesota, his work on winter hardiness accelerated. Colleagues that visited Len and most of his students in Minnesota were treated to these winter forays to find midges. Many of his students at the University of Minnesota would find that their projects included extensive winter fieldwork, and Len's love and   fascination with working in these environments was always transferred to his students. Winter did not just mean work though, as Len would also hold full-moon, skiing parties on his lake in the winter for students and colleagues complete with chili, Bob Marley music, Malbec, and sometimes a little aquavit.
Much of his field work included the collection of chironomid pupal exuviae. He was a strong proponent of using or incorporating chironomid pupal exuviae into research and much of the research throughout his career relied to some degree on this technique. Many of his students and colleagues took the opportunity to learn from a master and became connoisseurs of surface floating pupal exuviae themselves. Barbara Hayford had this memory of sampling with Len in Tasmania: "One day as we hiked toward our collecting site, a waterfall, we observed a large pile of foam downstream on the river, deep in a ravine. Len got that look in his eye. He stopped and peered over the edge, obviously thinking of the best way down when I stopped him and pointed out that I would not be able to haul him out if he fell down the steep slope and broke his bones. Still, he hesitated, then changed his mind and continued down the path to collect at the waterfall. I think he would have collected that foam had I not been there. Although I was relieved he did not collect in the ravine, I did learn from him a lifelong passion for chironomid pupal exuviae. His excitement and enthusiasm never waned in all the years I knew him. Ultimately, that was the greatest gift he bequeathed me as a researcher." Those that knew Len well also knew that when he wasn't wearing his waders (or his characteristic cowboy boots that would let all know he was coming down the hall!), he was most likely in his dance shoes. Research conversations with Len would often deviate from the subject at hand and often turn to dancing, as this was another significant passion. He could also find appropriate ways to intertwine the two topics. For example, when describing how best to walk in a stream with waders on while collecting (especially in winter, when falling in the water is not at all appealing!), Len would liken the experience to dancing, where agility, balance, and grace is of utmost importance. Len certainly excelled in this area, based on both the numerous ballroom dancing awards he received over the years and his prowess while waders were donned in the field.
Len's contributions to the scientific community extended well beyond field work and his research lab. He was a long-standing member of the Society of Freshwater Science (SFS) (formerly known as the North American Benthological Society, NABS) and served as President (1989)(1990). During his tenure as NABS president, Len advocated for scientists to provide their expertise and become more involved with assisting conservation groups to develop policy. Len continued to contribute to NABS/SFS in many ways including serving and chairing the Executive Board of Directors for NABS Endowment, serving on numerous society committees and boards, and organizing several symposia at meetings. In 2021, he was elected as an SFS Fellow for his sustained excellence in contributions to freshwater science research. Len's service to SFS/NABS also included hosting and organizing the 1986 NABS meeting held in Lawrence, Kansas. Always someone that en-  joyed a joke, even an inside joke, he called the traditional 5K run at the 1986 NABS meeting the Oreadomyia 5K. He called it this because the route traversed Mount Oread, a 58 m high ridge upon which the University of Kansas is situated, and of course because of the genus Oreadomyia Kevan & Cutten-Ali-Khan. Len also hosted the XV International Symposium on Chironomidae in 2003, bringing chironomid researchers from around the world to Minnesota. Len always made it a priority to attend and bring students to professional meetings, particularly the International Symposia on Chironomidae and annual meetings of SFS/ NABS. Impressively, with the exception of the 2020 meeting that was canceled due to a global pandemic, he never missed a single SFS/NABS meeting in 46 years (do note, though, that Len did participate in the modified virtual SFS event held later in the summer of 2020)! Len's service also included serving on numerous university committees at the University of Kansas and University of Minnesota. Most notable was Len's appointment as Co-Coordinator of the Environmental Science, Policy and Management undergraduate major from 2008-2011 at the University of Minnesota. Len also served as president of the Kansas Entomological Society (1984)(1985) and was an editor or assistant editor for several journals including the Journal of the North American Benthological Society, Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, and the CHIRONOMUS Newsletter.
In addition to his research, he was an active and well-liked professor and mentor to hundreds of undergraduate and graduate level students at the University of Kansas and the University of Minnesota. Len acted as major advisor for at least 27 graduate students (8 Ph.D. and 19 M.S.) and served as a committee member for numerous oth-ers. His students now hold titles, such as aquatic ecologists, research scientists, aquatic invertebrate taxonomists, professors of biology, environmental educators, among many others. As an advisor, Len encouraged his students to not only focus intensely on their thesis topic, but to also become broadly trained freshwater scientists that are ready to address issues spanning from local to global importance. Len was always available to his students to answer questions, develop projects, and to simply steer them through graduate school, but he also gave students the latitude to pursue their interests. For example, one of his former students, Petra Kranzfelder, gained a passion for tropical biology after doing some research on sea turtles in Costa Rica, so he supported her interests and helped her develop both M.S. and Ph.D. projects in tropical chironomid ecology and taxonomy (even though the project had nothing to do with winter-active midges). Len's broad expertise in taxonomy, ecology, water quality, and biological monitoring and the support of his students' strengths and interests is reflected in the diversity of thesis and dissertation projects of his students -many of which don't even mention Chironomidae in the title. He was also a strong proponent of international collaborations and hosted numerous researchers (both students and faculty) in his lab from countries including Brazil, China, Iceland, and Norway, and he encouraged his undergraduate and graduate students to seek out international research and learning opportunities. For example, he led an environmental science study abroad program in Iceland in 2014, 2016 and 2018, where he brought undergraduate students from the University of Minnesota to Iceland. This experience resulted in one of his graduate students, Corrie Nyquist, who joined the 2018 trip, framing her doctoral research around the impacts of climate change on subarctic midges in Ice- land. Len's international collaborations are clearly apparent in the research in which he was involved in (e.g., Norway, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Tasmania, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, and Mongolia), the meetings and committees he participated in, and the colleagues with whom he published. Due largely to Len's encouragement, support, and vast network of connections, three of Len's most recent Ph.D. students, Corrie Nyquist (Iceland, 2020-2021, Petra Kranzfelder (Norway, 2014, and Alyssa Anderson (Norway, 2010(Norway, -2011 received Fulbright Fellowships that allowed them to complete portions of their dissertation research abroad and build their own collaborative networks. Alyssa Anderson states that had it not been for Len's encouragement and strong support for international experiences, she would not have considered the Fulbright program, let alone working an international experience into her graduate program. Now, she views this as the most impactful component of her graduate education, building not only her professional skill set and network, but also enhancing her worldview and collection of friends. Impressively, Len himself was most recently recognized with a prestigious Fulbright Fellow award and was greatly looking forward to performing winter research in Finland for six months spanning a portion of the 2021-2022 academic year.   studying Mongolia chironomids. I am forever grateful for all he has done for me, for his mentoring, and for the privilege of knowing and working with him." When considering his wide range of collaborators and the careers of his students, his impact and contribution to freshwater science has been far reaching not only geographically, but also through time. Many of Len's past students continued to collaborate with him on research and teaching endeavors long after graduation. One important part of Len's significant legacy is that he trained and taught many aquatic resource professionals, including researchers and teachers. Many students came to the field of aquatic science because of him. Students might have had a class with him as an undergraduate or came to study with him based on a recommendation from one of Len's many colleagues. Even if students weren't aquatic entomologists or biologists when they started working with him, Len's interest and passion for the field was often kindled in them. Len's influence and enthusiasm in the classroom, laboratory, and field is also vividly apparent in his students who went on to teach. In the classroom, Len could always be counted on to start a class with a favorite song (usually Bob Marley), YouTube video (typically involving dancing), or a good joke or two (especially on exam days!). These practices are now carried forth by some of his students that are now in the classroom. His legacy includes training teachers and professors at different educational levels and biologists specializing in public outreach who are educating the public and training students to be the next aquatic biologists. As a result, Len's training and influence has impacted thousands of students. Len also trained many researchers who are responsible for the protection, conservation, and stewardship of natural resources. It is imperative for the conservation of aquatic resources that there is an experienced and capable community of aquatic science educators and researchers and it is difficult to overestimate Len's important contribution to the field.
Len is known to many in the world of aquatic ecology and chironomid taxonomy as a scientist, teacher, friend, and colleague. Someone who was a true gentleman with a constant and infectious positive attitude. All who had the honor to know Len recognized how he pursued excellence in life with passion and vigor.
Len was just as encouraging, positive and adventurous with his family as he was with his students. He was known to take his family on elaborate and intricately-planned family trips all around the world, often involving two of his favorite pastimes -bicycling and traveling together. His children note that he was always a present father-figure at sporting events and important milestones growing up, somehow managing the work-life balance. In their adulthood, he was a trusted advisor for their lives' paths and guided them on their academic, business, and personal endeavors. His encouraging phrase of "just go for it" was one to remember.      Len was a loving husband of 43 years to Deborah, father to Len III and Ashley, grandfather to Leah. He was fearless in trying and perfecting new activities, including a recent passion for playing the mandolin, and becoming a nationally ranked, award-winning competitive ballroom dancer. Len embodied the persona of a modern Renaissance man, being as comfortable wading in the stream wearing chest waders as he was dancing in a tuxedo. Len was loved greatly by his family, friends, and colleagues and will be dearly missed by them all. His legacy will continue through his family, the contributions he made as a scientist and educator, and the countless lives he touched with his genuine, engaging, humorous, yet gentle personality, and kind heart.