In memoriam

Robert W. Knecht, 73, known as "the father of coastal management" and a member of UD's marine studies faculty since 1989, died June 3 in Washington, D.C., from colon cancer.

Mr. Knecht pioneered the practice of coastal management in the U.S. in the 1970s, serving as the first assistant administrator for Coastal Zone Management at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), responsible for implementing the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the first program in the world designed to provide special management for coastal and ocean areas. A marine policy researcher, he also worked at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Mr. Knecht codirected the University's College of Marine Studies Center for the Study of Marine Policy from 1989-99. He wrote more than 75 scholarly publications on a wide variety of coastal and ocean resource management issues. His most recent books, coauthored with his partner and wife, Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain of UD's marine studies faculty, include The Future of U.S. Ocean Policy: Choices for the New Century and Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management: Concepts and Practice.

These books are widely used in academic and government training efforts in marine policy in the U.S. and elsewhere.

In 1999, Mr. Knecht was awarded the Julius A. Stratton Award for Leadership for his contributions as an advocate for protecting and responsibly developing the oceans and coasts of the world.

Mr. Knecht is survived by his wife of 18 years and four children.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Robert W. Knecht Marine Policy Fellowship Fund, c/o Catherine Johnston, Center for the Study of Marine Policy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-3501 (checks payable to the University of Delaware) or to Colon Cancer Alliance at 175 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10011.