Wit and Wisdom of Rich AxlerWit and Wisdom of Rich AxlerA sense of humor has been an integral part of Rich Axler’s two decades as NRRI Senior Research Associate. He describes his days as a limnologist (a lake and stream ecologist) as a “see-saw/merry-go-round” that swings back and forth, ‘round and ‘round, every day between basic and applied water science research, education, and outreach projects.
Axler’s long ride at NRRI has left many high points that circle around being part of “a really fine institution with sharp, dedicated people doing important work.” Some specific favorite moments surrounded the multi-partnership “septic systems” project: eating lunch and planting bulrushes in constructed wetlands filled with “prisoner poop” with NRRI co-workers and inmates at the St. Louis County Septics Research Facility up the road at the County Correctional Center. He is also very proud of the partnerships and impact of WaterontheWeb.org and LakeSuperiorStreams.org, two web-based education projects.
Axler lives with his wife, son (now in college), daughter and two dogs (down from dogs, cat, rodents, rabbit and birds a few years ago). He enjoys ball sports with kids, snorkeling, scuba, tennis, curling poorly, exploring the outdoors, searching for elves, and wishes he could throw stuff out and draw better. He’s bored with greed, liars, and big egos, and he’d try to change the world by “letting women have a turn at running things” and spending more money on health, education and welfare than on blowing people up. He’d also like to be part of the answer to his favorite Bushism quote: “Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning?”
Rich’s favorites: