Date: 1982-03-24
Speaker: PHILLIP BURTON (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. San Franciscans will sorely miss the late William Stanton Picher. When he died recently of a brain tumor at age 67. the bay area lost a special friend of conservation and the arts. But we can be comforted by the knowledge that he left a special legacy. a legacy of community service with particular relevance today. He did more than achieve notable progress through a number of individual projects. At a time when some would relegate environmental protection and artistic endeavors to the status of dispensable luxuries. we should appreciate the work of someone who demonstrated that they are instead integral parts of a democracy. William Stanton Picher has permanently enhanced the natural and cultural environment of countless people in our area. Mr. Speaker. I would like to insert into the RECORD the following tribute to Mr. Picher. beautifully composed by his close friend. Clifford Conly: A Missouri native. William Stanton Picher was a descendant of President Lincolns great Secretary of War. a student of poetry. he received his master of arts degree from Harvard University. He served his country in World War II in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps. After the war. his life revolved around his bookstore and art gallery. until he closed it in the early 1950s. At that time. he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and dedicated his life to public service. His interests were far rahging. An early study and unique collection of ancient Chinese porcelain led him to take an active Interest in the establishment of the Avery Brundage Oriental Art Collection at the DeYoung Museum. He extended his interest to the entire Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. where he served with distinetion on the board. He was also a member of the Museum Society. and became its president from 19751977. He was an early member of the Board of Directors of the Oakland Museum. and a trustee of the American Federation of Arts. He also was an ardent supporter of musical activities in the Bay Area. and recently was appointed to the Board of Governors of the San Francisco Symphony. William Picher was actively Involved in choosing and contributing fine art objects to grace the Symphonys new home. the Loise M. Davies Symphony Hall. His taste and collections in contemporary art were well known and fe was a firm believer in furnishing support to local artists. But his greatest contribution lay in his awareness of the environment and the field of natural conzt*rvation. He understood the threat of uncontrolled development long before conservation became a household word. He was interested in birds from an early ago. and became president of a local Bay Area Audubon chapter when it comprised a very small group of persons. From this position. he was able to found and raise support for the West Marin sanctuary known as Audubon Canyon Ranch. For the following twenty years. and until the day of h~s death. his untiring work on behalf of fund raising. land acquisition and management. and organizational activities never ceased. In fact. his work almost singlehandedly started the conservation movement in West Marin that has resulted in the establishment of two great parks. His steadfast efforts led to the preservation of much land along Tomales Bay and Muir Beach. and. more recently. in Sonoma County. Audubon Canyon Ranch. which features natural preservation and educational programs at its three preserves. will remain his greatest monument. Many people of the Bay Area. dedicated to the preservation of the quality of life on our planet. will miss him.e