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<div style="direction: ltr;font-family: Tahoma;color: #000000;font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">It is my sad duty to announce that Tony Kirchgessner, NYBG Herbarium Information Manager since 1995, passed away during the
holidays. Anyone who has asked for an extract of data from our specimen database or Index Herbariorum, or has used our data through GBIF or other data portals benefitted from Tony's work.</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">Tony's loss leaves a hole in our hearts, and of course in our workforce. It will be awhile before we are able to fill Tony's position. We ask for your patience if you experience delays receiving data
from us, or if it takes us longer than usual to correct problems with our website. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">We are very grateful for outpouring of support for Tony from the collections community. Many have asked about contributions, etc. If you are interested, we have set up a scholarship fund for Tony's 14
year old daughter Julia. Here is the link to the donation site:</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<a href="http://tonykirchgessnermemorial.mydagsite.com/home" target="_blank" style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">http://tonykirchgessnermemorial.mydagsite.com/home</a><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">Apologies for cross-posting.</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">Sincerely,</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">Barbara M. Thiers</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">Patricia K. Holmgren Director </span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">New York Botanical Garden Herbarium</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">Bronx, NY 10458-5126</span><br style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: monospace; font-size: 16px;">bthiers@nybg.org</span></div>
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