Date: 10/18/25 10:25 am From: vernonhowe via groups.io <vhowe...> Subject: [inlandcountybirds] Passing of birding legend, Gene Cardiff
When we moved to Riverside in 1974 after many years in the east, I made a deliberate decision to not get caught up in the California birding mania of the 1970s and bird more privately as a family activity. When the kids were just toddlers we would bird around picnics; Winona would read and Andrew and Stephania would have fun playing in the dirt, etc. A favorite place when the weather was bad was the San Bernardino County Museum; we soon ran into Gene Cardiff. He was so gracious and patient in showing us the bird collection.
I think Gene had me typed as a casual birder until one summer in the mid-1970s when I told him I had seen a couple of Chimney Swifts in downtown Riverside. He smiled and agreed with me how much fun it was to watch swifts fly about. A few weeks later I asked him if he had gone to look at the swifts. H nicely explained that he had been very busy and that White-throated Swifts weren’t all that special and in the wrong light could look dark. I said they were certainly Vaux’s or Chimneys by coloration and size; the time of year and call pointed to Chimney. He didn’t argue with me; however, a few days later he called me and said they were indeed Chimneys and apologized for not taking me seriously. There were a few Chimneys there for the next couple of summers. This interaction led to a very rewarding relationship with Gene—I learned so much from him.
The first time I remember that Andrew and Gene crossed paths was when Andrew was less than two years old. We were at a San Bernardino Audubon meeting. Gene gave a talk about some collecting trip he went on (maybe with Billy Hankins). Andrew had been somewhat restless and we were so relieved when he went to sleep lying under a chair. Winona told Gene the talk was so fascinating and made her really want to travel. Gene looked down at Andrew and said he knew he wasn’t always the best speaker (of course we all know that is not true); however, he hadn’t ever bored someone so badly that they passed out. Of course, when Andrew got the “birding bug” Gene was very supportive of him.
Our whole family will miss Gene, a real mentor and cherished friend.
