Dear Western History Association,

I regretfully write to inform you that Dr. Iris Engstrand, Professor Emerita of History at the University of San Diego, died on September 12.

As a longtime WHA member and the 2004 WHA President, Dr. Engstrand made several contributions to the field of western history. She authored 21 books and numerous chapters and articles on Spain, California, and the North American West. In 2000, her article "Of Fish and Men" won the WHA Bolton-Cutter Award.

Dr. Engstrand became involed with the WHA in the 1960s and first presented her scholarship at the annul conference in 1967. In addition to presenting and chairing numerous panels over several decades, she served as the Local Arrangments Committe Co-Chair, Nominating Committee Chair, and on multiple award committees, the WHA Council, and the WHQ Board of Editors.

On a personal note, Dr. Engstrand was in her leadership role as the 2004 President when I started working in the WHA office as a graduate student at the University of New Mexico. In my experience, she exemplified the kind of collegiality that senior scholars commonly extend to others in the field of western history. Her intellectual generosity and curiosity toward emerging scholars reflected the spirit of community that defines the WHA.

The University of San Diego issued a tribute to Dr. Engstrand, which can be found here. The San Diego Union-Tribune will issue an article about Dr. Engstand soon.

Sincerely,

Elaine Nelson, WHA Executive Director