Dear Vaughn Bryant family,

We still praying for the soul of our dear friend, God bless him and give you love and resignation.

From Gerardo and Yolanda regards

Ed Baxter
February 12, 2021

I first met Vaughn in 1969 at a SAA conference in Milwaukee.  My friend and I, being students, had no hotel money so we were sleeping in his VW Microbus in the parking lot. When Vaughn heard of this, he gave us a key to his room so we could shower. Five years later I started working for him at the fledging Texas A&M Anthropology Program (not yet a department).  For six years I was a research scientist performing archaeological contracts and was Vaughn’s administrative assistant. I never had a better boss. We remained good friends all these years. A few years ago, I presented him with a petroglyph I made of a shaman Vaughn standing on an “ATM” logo and entitled the first Aggie palynologist- he loved it. I really miss him. He was my mentor and truly a great person. 


Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of Dr. Bryant, as I always referred to him (I could never call him Vaughn).  I respected him so much and always enjoyed his company.  His energy was contagious as he was always involved with so many projects, he was a "busy bee".  He loved his family and often talked about them, and in years past, of what upcoming trip they would all take together.  And Carol, he put her above all things and took the best care of her.  I will miss his warm smile and stories, boy that man could tell you so many stories, as he had so many life experiences.  .  My prayers to all his family as you go through this difficult time.  He will be sorely misses but never forgotten as he holds a very special place in my heart.

Hi, I didn’t study under or work with Vaughn. But a number of years ago I wrote a paper that used his pollen data and, while he very courteously disagreed with my interpretations, he was always generous with his time and so willing to share in his research. I truly enjoyed talking every time we would run into each other. He was a good man.

  Jim and I send our condolences to Carol and family.  He loved and cherished you so much!  You were his world.  He was so proud of all of you.  He loved telling us what all of you were up to in his Christmas letters.
Vaughn was a great friend, mentor and kindred spirit and I will miss him dearly.  We have been friends since 1974 when he welcomed me, an undergrad, into his pollen lab as his work-study lab tech.  The rest is history.  He inspired me to become a palynologist which led to a long and fruitful career in palynology, ethnobotany, plant systematics and plant conservation. I have had a most satisfying academic and intellectual career in large part because of his inspiration and enthusiasm for plants, human history and research.  Words will never capture all he was to me, but "great" would be a start.  I was lucky to have known him and am so grateful that our paths crossed in this adventure called life.

As the song says, "He was a friend of mine."

Vaughn is  a family friend. He is the most caring, kind hearted man. He was such a hard worker, he defied all odds that were stacked against him for many many years. I loved just to sit and talk to him. Vaughn will truly be missed by many many people, especially my kids and I. Was a pleasure to know you!!

I was one of Vaughn's students, he gave me the chance to get started in paleoethnobotany/archaeology.  Vaughn shared knowledge, humor and insight throughout my career.  He continued to support me, sharing information and wisdom with me long after I left A&M. I wish I could have spent more time down in Texas and visited more often.

Vaughn was an intellectual kinsman. He set the standard for innovative palynology and environmental interpretations. Our paths did not cross frequently in the past twenty years but when they did our conversations were filled with exciting new discoveries or laboratory innovations. Our occasional interactions were too infrequent but were certainly memorable. 
Vaughn was a gifted scientist who will certainly be missed by his students, archaeological friends, and the profession as a whole. 

I came to A&M in the fall of 1975, and the four years that I spent with Vaughn as one of his students, and the years since, as a friend, convinced me that he was quite likely the most positive-energy person I've ever known. Vaughn had to have been the model for the Energizer Bunny. He had that so-rare blend of passion for his work, compassion for his students, high-level quirkiness and bottom-line practicality. Although I didn't go on to an academic career, the thinking and analytical skills I absorbed from Vaughn served me well for the rest of my life, professional and otherwise. I'm forever grateful for having known him. My condolences to his family for their great loss. 
Kathy Cushman, PhD '81


Vaughn was an extraordinary soul. . He loved and lived with so much enthusiasm. Vaughn was always ready to share his vast knowledge and impart infectious excitement for the myriad projects he was researching, from caveman poop to bees!
His dear love for cousin Carol was an inspiration, & brought hope of finding such a lovely partner and friend  in life, like she had. 
Carol, as family, we are here for you and your children, Poozer, Daniel, and Bonnie. Jessica and I can come to College Station on our way to beach and have lunch after we have received our 2nd round of vaccines. Speak of Vaughn often, and know he will always be with you in your thoughts, memories, and family stories. THERE ARE SO MANY! 
Loving you all, and will never forget the love you showed for my dear father. 


I was fortunate enough to have visited Vaughn and students in-person at the pollen lab some years back when he was still up and around between MDA visits. He’s been a friend and a treasure for more than half my life; it’s hard to realize he's gone. Somehow I never figured his last days would be in quarantine. Carol and family: please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Vaughn touched many lives and we former students are widely scattered, the better to share his stubborn optimism and joie de vivre for having known him. 
Glenna Dean, PhD
Vaughn's first PhD student
TAMU Class of '78

I knew Vaughn for about 55 years; he did drafting for the Texas Archeological Salvage Project where I worked at the time.    Vaughn was the fist anthropologist at TAMU in 1971, and was responsible for me getting hired there as the first archaeologist in 1972.  We   collaborated on several interdisciplinary projects over the years.  Vaughn was a friend and colleague; he and his students did some important pioneering work on pollen and coprolite analysis.  My thoughts go out to his family.  

I knew Vaughn for literally decades! He analyzed pollen from one of my sites and I analyzed perishable artifacts from several of his! Vaughn was instrumental in bringing me to A&M to lecture in the the 1970’s and I maintained some contact with him since! Vaughn was a great scholar and a fine gentleman in the classic sense of that term! I shall miss him!

OBITUARY

Vaughn Bryant

October 5, 1940 – January 30, 2021

Memorial Funeral Chapel

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