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USF biology students, friends and co-workers knew Joseph L. Simon as "Mr. Tampa Bay."
In 1964, Mr. Simon joined the faculty of the University of South Florida's biology department and was the first faculty member to reach the million-dollar mark in sponsored research.
Mr. Simon also created USF's first doctoral program in biology, which began in 1967.
Mr. Simon's primary focus in life was to mentor students in science, but he also enjoyed the arts, poetry and doing crossword puzzles.
When Mr. Simon found out he had lung cancer, he accepted it as a part of life and one of the mysteries of science, said Richard Preto-Rodas, Mr. Simon's companion.
Mr. Simon died Monday. He was 67.
"Joe was a very moral scientific person," Preto-Rodas said. "His whole point (in life) was to get students engaged in the scientific method."
Preto-Rodas said Mr. Simon earned the title, "Mr. Tampa Bay," because he was the first person to extensively study the ecology of Tampa Bay. He used sea worms in his research.
"His contributions were so great in research, and he was an excellent teacher," said Henry Muchinsky, a USF biology professor.
Mr. Simon joined USF after receiving his doctorate in zoology from the University of New Hampshire.
During his tenure Mr. Simon earned several awards, including being named the president of the American Society of Zoology, and being a Fulbright Scholar in 1989-90 in Taiwan.
He retired from USF about six years ago.
In 1982 Mr. Simon also started the Tampa Bay Area Scientific Information Symposium (BASIS), a project that focus on different aspects of the ecological system of Tampa Bay.
Sally Treat, editor of BASIS, said without BASIS, the bay would not be as healthy as it is today.
"Joe's incredible inspiration started BASIS," said Treat, who was also a student of Mr. Simon's.
Survivors include a brother-in-law, Frank Galvin; two nephews, Timothy and Scott Galvin; and companion Richard A. Preto-Rodas.
Cremation is being arranged by the Neptune Society, with a private memorial scheduled for later this spring.