Dear all,
The death of Kristian undoubtedly has caused commotion in all who knew
him. As for me, I regret not having spent more time with him, the time that
I did was learning not only in polychaete systematic. I remember many
anecdotes, here are some:
What I really made an impression was his patience to explain again and
again any topic because of my bad English, once in the laboratory of
Vivianne Solís back in 1996, he gave a talk to myself because I had to
return of urgency to Monterrey, he said, will became clear Angel ?, and I
would answer, unfortunately not, and began again as if for the first time
to do it.
When I speculated with my specimens, he told me "Why do not check the type
material", and wrote to wherever to come the material to Washington.
When I start my PhD Kristian asked me to review the material deposited in
Los Angeles and that he had worked of Western Mexico, only the
nereidids. When I showed him a material that he had identified as Nereis
zonata and I told it was a new genus (Imajimainereis), he told me that we
all make mistakes, we were not infallible, it was important to accept and
facilitate the correction. Definitely a proof of his humility and wisdom.
The last time I saw him was in Oaxaca in the meeting organized by Rolando
Bastida, I was with him as long as I could, we were reviewing my videos of
invertebrate, very bad indeed, but he did not care, him really liked the
living Echiura.
Recently we invite him to participate in the IV Latin American Symposium of
polychaetologists and agreed to come to Monterrey gladly.
I will miss him, however life goes on. Kristian has been a person who has
impacted on many who consider us their students. I stay with his advice and
teachings.
I send a big hug to Len, hoping he recovers soon.
Angel de León
