a conservation easement to protect it from development. Named Conservationist of the Year in 2007 by the Coastal Conservation Association, Sandy was also a stalwart supporter of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (now Wild Oceans), which was originally founded in 1974 by mostly WPBFC members. According to Ken Hinman, Wild Ocean’s president, “Sandy was one of the first people I met and worked with when I joined the organization nearly 40 years ago. She was always one of our biggest supporters and always at the top of my list of favorite people. She will be dearly missed.” Sandy was an early member of the Interna- tional Women’s Fishing Association (IWFA) and a long term member at the Sailfish Club in Palm Beach, where she kept her famous sportfisher- man, Sandra T. She and close friend, Maryanne O’Donnell, with Sandy’s family, could be counted on to participate in various annual billfish events scattered around the world. She once indicated to me that Tropic Star Lodge in Pinas Bay, Panama, was her favorite “big game fishing rendezvous”. With her son, Don ‘Hap’ Wilson and daughter-in-law, Serena Wilson, and her longtime Captain, Frankie Branch and mate Troy Kent, they remained regulars chasing blue marlin in the Bahamas and U.S. Virgin Islands for decades. Sandy’s numerous philanthropic endeavors included the Nicho- las School at Duke University, the Surdna Foundation, Clearwater Marine Science Museum, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa and the WPBFC’s charitable affiliate, the PBCFF along with its John Ry- bovich Endowment. In fact, Sandy’s vision and support played an instrumental role in the creation of the endowment in the early 90s. I have fond memories of Sandy’s abiding interests in our coopera- tive game fish research programs with Atlantic Sailfish throughout the entire 1970s. Accompanied by Maryanne, she would occasion- ally, and often unannounced, drop by the Florida Marine Field Station, then located in the southern most section of the WPBFC clubhouse. “Hello, just wanted to see some of your latest results.” We’ddiscussnewbiologicaldiscoveries,ultrasonictrackingsurveys or tournament monitoring results. On one occasion I employed Sandy and Maryanne both in an attempt to age one of the sailfish specimens using a thin cross section taken from its dorsal fin spine. Viewed carefully through a dissecting microscope each gal took their turn counting the circular rings in the spine section, kind of like counting rings in a tree. This particular specimen represented a 50 plus pound female caught offshore Ft. Pierce. Both girls counted six (6) rings. Ed Irby and Marion Hedgepeth, my colleagues, and I confirmed their analysis. This sailfish was indeed six years old. We used that sample, one of hundreds, in determining age and growth of Atlantic Sailfish (a first ever) and published the scientific results at the International Workshop on Age Determination of Pelagic Fishes in 1983. Those results have stood the test of time. This is just one more example of Sandy’s fascination and dedication. TomTwyford, President of the WPBFC, agrees and pointed out how Sandy brought a new and valuable perspective to the WPBFC’s board of directors. She regularly fished the Silver Sailfish Derby with family and friends, and all were supportive volunteers and participants at the WPBFC’s annual BBQ and Auction each Novem- ber. They all became lifetime WPBFC members too, including McKenzie and Alexis Wilson who are among the club’s first ever date-of-birth lifetime members. Sandy’s son, Hap, who died in 2006, was a former WPBFC board member. His wife Serena, an ardent angler on her own, just volunteered to join the WPBFC board of direc- tors. Welcome aboard Serena. Sandy's other son, Peter Kaupe is also a club member and long time supporter of the club's Foundation. Shari Wilson, Sandy's daughter, with other family members gave beautiful eulogies at the memorial service held at the Royal Poinciana Chapel on March 4th. They highlighted Sandy's special sense of humor and way of life. Shari, an employee of Eniviron- mental Defense in Washington, D.C., has her mother's same ethic about nature. We are deeply appreciative of this family’s unselfish support and the legacy Sandy has left behind. I firmly believe that everybody on this planet has the obligation to try and make the earth a better place for those who follow. Sandy graciously suc- ceeded. We will never forget! John Jolley WPBFC Board Member & past club president Sandy Kaupe (r) & good friend, Maryanne O'Donnell at a Fishing Club BBQ & Auction. continued from pg. 1 Serena Wilson Joins Fishing Club Board The WPBFC Board of Directors unanimously approved the addition of Serena Wilson to the board at their last meeting. Serena fills the seat vacated by her late mother-in- law, Sandra Kaupe. Serena is a life- time WPBFC member and has been actively involved with Fishing Club and Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation initiatives and events for over 25 years. She is an accomplished blue water angler, with serveral club trophy titles to her name, including the Beinecke Blue Marlin Release Trophy and the Donald Leas International Angling Trophy. "Serena brings a valuable perspective to our board. We're thrilled she is willing to support the club at this level," said WPBFC Chairman, Pete Schulz. Welcome Aboard, Serena! Serena Wilson