Robert Wescott Durant

Robert W. Durant, avid outdoorsman, musician, naturalist, author, and wildlife photographer, passed away the afternoon of July 4th, 2016 following a period of declining health due to cancer.

Mr. Durant was born and raised in Ridgefield, Connecticut where he lived with his parents Margaret and George T. Durant and his older sister, Joan. Growing up across from a dairy farm and being surrounded by large open pastures and woods, he developed a deep love of and appreciation for the natural world. He spent his early years absorbing the sounds of nature and learning about the local animals, plants and insects. Fishing with his father and hunting birds in the fields near his home were early favorite pastimes.

Mr. Durant attained a degree at Northwestern University and later became an elementary school teacher in Danbury, Connecticut, where he taught history, reading and math. As western Connecticut became more populated, he relocated to Lancaster, NH in 1969, a place he called home for more than 50 years. He continued to build on his education career in Lancaster, teaching junior high school math until finally retiring in 1986.

Mr. Durant had a passion for music and was an accomplished jazz and rock drummer. For a time he studied under the fabled Gene Krupa and toured the Pacific, Caribbean and Europe with the US Army Jazz Band while in the service in the early 1960's. After moving to Lancaster, he played drums in a number of rock, country, and classic rock bands until his eventual retirement from music in the mid 1990's. Mr. Durant's talent and exceptional technique often drew nascent drummers to his shows looking for pointers and helpful tips.

Mr. Durant had many hobbies over the years, all of which he became incredibly proficient at before putting each to rest to move on to the next. This is not to say he was a "natural" at anything. Mr. Durant worked tirelessly, putting in countless hours to hone his crafts until he felt he was an expert in each. He was an entirely self-taught wildlife pen and ink and watercolor artist, expert tier of trout, salmon, and bass flies, relief wood carver and builder of train boards. He tackled each endeavor with an unparalleled level of intensity and desire to perfect every detail, down to the hand-made miniature trees and people in his elaborate model train stations.

One of Mr. Durant's favorite trout streams was the Israel's River. While fishing there, he became deeply enchanted with the many plants, animals and insects that inhabited the river and its banks. After his retirement, he began a daily walk of a two mile stretch along the river near his home in Lancaster, recording all of the living things that called the river their home. These regular ambles became the focal point of his days, and he could be found on the river almost every day in all seasons and weather conditions. He spent more than 30 years taking these walks, only reluctantly having to stop due to ill health in the final month of his life.

Digital photography was one of Mr. Durant's most passionate hobbies. He amassed an impressive collection of images taken on his regular walks which included animal, plant or insect species he encountered, along with their various interactions with other animals or plants. He also kept daily field notes recording each day's observations. He was a contributing writer for local area newspapers, and personally published five photographic books on topics including the Lancaster area and its beautiful remote wilderness.

In 2016, Mr. Durant gifted a 10 acre parcel of land in Jefferson, NH to the NH Fish and Game Department. Purchased by Mr. Durant in 1977, the land lies at the convergence of Israel's River and Stalbird Brook. Designated as the Robert Durant Natural Area by NH Fish and Game, unlimited access is provided for anglers, wildlife watchers and people of all ages to enjoy this parcel of undisturbed land. To quote Mr. Durant: "Everyone should have a cherished piece of planet Earth that they visit regularly to study."

In his will, Mr. Durant has asked that his entire estate be liquidated and the proceeds donated to the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH. His diaries, photographs, books and sketches, along with the copyrights to his five books will be used to further the education and enjoyment of fellow nature enthusiasts. To fulfill Mr. Durant's deepest wish to use his life's work to foster a love of earth's abundant beauty in children, the Foundation has established the Robert Durant Fund. The Foundation will use the proceeds in the coming years to support youth educational programs through the NH Fish and Game Department to provide opportunities for children in New Hampshire to understand and appreciate the interdependence of all species and the need for their conservation and the stewardship of our natural world.

Mr. Durant is survived by his nephew James P. Gass of Smithfield, Rhode Island, his niece Katherine M. Stowe of Lyme, New Hampshire, his cousin Robert Solley of San Francisco, California, a grandniece, Caoilinn C. Gass, and two grandnephews, James T. Egan and Ryan F. Egan, all of whom appreciated and shared with him his love and enthusiasm for nature.

Mr. Durant has requested no formal services for his passing. It is requested that those wishing to remember him contribute to the Robert Durant Fund, administered by the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of New Hampshire, PO Box 3993,Concord, NH 03302.

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The following excerpts from comments posted to the NH Fish and Game Facebook page on 6/29/16 demonstrate the tremendous impact Robert's generosity and dedication had on his peers:

Let's all thank Mr. Robert Durant for donating this great piece of land to the Fish and Game Department. The property fronts the Israel's River and Stalbird Brook in Jefferson, NH and is an awesome fishing access spot. A permanent sign will be built and installed by the end of summer. Mr. Durant has also been working with the Wildlife Heritage Foundation of NH to create a lasting legacy for wildlife and conservation education. Thank you Mr. Durant!

Thank you Mr. Durant for preserving your land for us outdoors men and women!!!

Thank you Mr. Durant!! It's through kind acts like this that ensure the enjoyment of the outdoors for many people, and many years!! Conservation at its finest!!!!

Thank you so kind and so great to see land like this will be preserved!!!!

You are a wonderful gentleman to do this for the citizens of New Hampshire. I salute you Mr. Durant.

We need more stewards of the land like Mr. Durant

Thank you, Mr Durant.

THANK YOU MR. DURANT

Bless you Mr. Durant

Thank you so much Mr. Durant!! So thoughtful and generous of you!

Thank you Mr. Durant for your kindness & living enjoyment for so many others <3

Thank you, sir for donating this land to be enjoyed forever by all! What a beautiful legacy and gift!

Thank You Mr. Robert Durant, what a great gift for everyone to enjoy.

Yes!!! Thank you, Sir, for donating your land to our Fish & Game . Dept. Then, too, Mr. Durant their are many residents who like and respect your way of life their are many residents who like and respect your way of life. Once more, Sir, as a 85 year ole born & raised Durant resident, I thank you once more!!! Have a great summer, Mr. Durant.

That's mighty nice of you, sir. Thank you.

Thank you for your generosity Mr. Durant. We sportsmen and women trully appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Thank-You! What a legacy and what a lesson in kindness!

Thank you good sir.

That's mighty nice of you, sir. Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you sir

Fantastic ! FWIW: Is the area open/accessible now ?

THANKYOU VERY GENEROUS OF YOU

Thank you indeed...wonderful!!!!

great

Thank you Mr. Durant.

Thank you!!!!!

We need more folks with the vision of Mr Durant...thank you sir.

Thank you sir for your donation to the state!

Thank You Mr Durant!

Awesome! Hope to fish there some day soon. Thank you!

Thank you sir!!

Thank you very much

THANK YOU VERY MUCH SIR!!!

THANK YOU Mr. Robert Durant!

Thank You

so thoughtful

Thank you 🇺🇸

Awesome

Thank you Mr.Durant.

Thank you for such a fine gift for everyone to use. Mr. Durant.

So generous. So cool

Thank you Mr Durant That has been a great spot

Next spot to try?!

Thankyou sir !

TY

Awesome. Thank you !

Fantastic.