Harold F. Duebbert’s Memorial Service (April 22nd)

On April 22, a memorial service will be held to honor and celebrate Harold Duebbert's life. All members are invited to attend this special time to remember and honor a great man, one who loved the natural resources of North Dakota. He dedicated his career and life to the protection and proper management of grasslands, wetlands, and the wildlife populations that dwell in these habitats. Harold was a wonderful friend to many of us.

Harold was a Wildlife Research Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, for over 20 years. He is best known for his research work on nesting prairie ducks in the Dakotas. He was instrumental in the development of Dense Nesting Cover (DNC), a mix of tall wheatgrasses and legumes, seeded to provide highly attractive nesting cover for upland nesting ducks. In addition, Harold was a leader in describing the use of islands by nesting ducks. He studied the extensive use of islands by nesting gadwalls in North Dakota. He was also part of the well-known Miller Lake Island (Divide County, ND) duck nesting study team.

Harold was also an active member of the North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society and in 1978 was the recipient of the Chapter’s North Dakota Award. Harold was devoted to prairie, prairie pothole wetlands, and the ducks that live in these habitats. Harold was an accomplished waterfowl decoy maker. He hand-carved and painted over 200 unique pieces of art, most of which were gifted to family and friends.

Harold passed away on January 18, 2022, at the age of 92. A memorial service for Harold was held on March 11 in Fergus Falls, MN. But all who knew Harold agreed that a ceremony to honor his life should be held on the North Dakota Prairie in the midst of his beloved Prairie Pothole Wetlands and ducks!