Stephen Jay Gould's death on May 20, 2002 is mourned by his many friends and colleagues at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). We share our loss with the greater scientific community and the many members of the public who knew him through his numerous essays and books that conveyed his love of science, history, art, language and baseball.

Steve served as President-Elect, President and Chair of the Board of AAAS from 1999 through 2001. During that period, his colleagues at AAAS benefited from his leadership; his often amusing but always educational quotes and historical anecdotes; his passion for science and his equal passion for sharing its wonders with the general public. We also learned of and admired his enduring dedication to the profession of teaching and the obligation of mentoring the next generation of scientists.