Tropical Fish Hobbyist

of Guy, who died in 1983. The Fund’s mission was, and continues to be, to support cichlid research in the form of modest grants awarded competitively to graduate students and others (for more on this program see the ACA website, www.cichlid.org), and to recognize lifetime achievement in the cichlid hobby. As chair of the fund, Dick succeeded such cichlid luminaries as Jim Langhammer, Ross Socolof, and Paul Loiselle in this position. During his tenure in this position, Dick worked first with Dr. Melanie Stiassny and then Dr. George Barlow, who served as principal reviewers of the annually submitted applications. Dr. Barlow, who has died recently (see “Cichlidophiles,” TFH November 2007) and was Dick’s close friend, had this to say about him:

Courtesy of Dick Stratton

Dick at 34, in a bio photo accompanying an article he wrote for Aquarium Illustrated Magazine. Dick comments, "I thought I got started in the aquarium hobby a little late, as compared with people like Ross Socolof who started in their teens, but I have been writing fish articles for over half my life now!"

Dick is a founding member of the ACA, as am I, though I played only a minor role. Dick was a mover, perhaps because of his close association with Guy Jordan and some other cichlidophiles in Southern California. In that small group, he was a tireless worker. Importantly, his devotion to the ACA has persevered over the years. Dick, however, is not a flashy or self-serving person. He works quietly and steadfastly behind the scenes. Publicity has never been his goal.

I have always admired Dick for his ability to cooperate, and that was important in the growth of the ACA, particularly in the early years. He tries to see the positive side of people, even when he disapproves of their actions. That makes him an asset in getting people to collaborate effectively. Take the Jordan Fund, for instance. In our interactions in selecting Jordan Awardees, he gently urged me to action and followed through on the whole process. His advice was invaluable.

Dick has been a consistent cichlid hobbyist over all these years. He writes beautifully with a wit that I admire. In his relationship with TFH, he covers all kinds of fishes. (He also writes books about dogs, and they are well received). His breadth of knowledge is impressive, but his heart has always been with the cichlids. His loyalty to cichlids is demonstrated by his quiet, enduring support of the ACA.

In 2005, the American Cichlid Association was pleased to award Richard “Dick” Stratton the Jordan Retrospective Award, to commemorate his lifelong contributions to the cichlid hobby.

His name has been added to the pantheon of “Cichlid Greats,” including Pierre Brichard (1987), George Barlow (1995), Paul Loiselle (2000), Ross Socolof (2001), and Ad Konings (2003). As you can see, it is an award reserved for only a very few exceptional individuals. Dick is one of these.

As the current chair of the Jordan Fund (since 2005), I was privileged and pleased to be the one responsible for shepherding his nomination to fruition (with Claudia Dickinson’s initial nomination and help). I was also responsible for a public recitation of the many achievements that had brought him the award. This was done in front of friends and peers at the banquet at the ACA’s annual convention this past July in Sacramento; it took us three conventions to get him there to physically accept the award—but this time it was in his own backyard, so there was no excuse! As a cichlid icon and personal hero of mine, it seemed natural for me to hand him the award, along with a big bear hug. I think I embarrassed him with both my rambling recitation and my physical expression of unfettered admiration. (This was tempered, unfortunately, by the sudden loss some three days earlier of George Barlow, also slated to attend to, among other things, honor Dick.) But Dick is one of those gentle, friendly, and huggable kinds of guys; I just couldn’t resist.

Courtesy of Claudia Dickinson

Dick and Ron Coleman at the 2007 ACA Convention in Sacramento, California.

On behalf of the American Cichlid Association and Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine, I thank Dick for all the many years of service to the hobby through his many and varied writings and selfless presence, mostly behind the scenes. George Barlow got it right in his description of the person Dick is. His 25 years as TFH Q&A Answer Man is, by itself, a notable accomplishment. Mix in his lasting and continued imprint on the ACA and you have a hobby legend. All of these testimonials and facts are true, and I am happy to note them for you here, but mostly, I am happy to call Dick Stratton my friend—and friend to our great hobby. Thanks Dick, for all you have done and, no doubt, will continue to do for the American tropical fish hobby.