SOLOMONS, MD (8 May, 2006).  Dr. Kenneth R. Tenore, professor and former director of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, passed away on 7 May after battling a severe illness.  He had served as director of the lab, located on Solomons Island, from 1984 until he stepped down to become a member of the faculty in 2005.  He was only the fourth director of CBL after its founding in 1925 by Dr. Reginald V. Truitt. 

Dr. Donald F. Boesch, President of UMCES said, “Ken Tenore’s wisdom, grounding in the best traditions, and penchant for innovation will be greatly missed.”

His legacy to the lab has been three-fold: greatly improved facilities; an outstanding faculty, many of whom he personally recruited; and highly regarded programs in environmental chemistry and toxicology.  

CBL Director, Dr. Margaret Palmer stated, “Dr. Tenore was responsible for modernizing the oldest State-supported marine laboratory on the East Coast and building upon its reputation as one of the premier environmental labs in the country.”

While as director he led collaborative research programs involving marine scientists from the United States, the Galicia region of Spain and from Portugal.  His frequent visits to both countries have helped build strong scientific relationships that endure today.  At the time of his death he was leading the Navigator Project, an international effort supported by the National Science Foundation and the Luso-American Foundation, to characterize and compare the ecology of coastal seas around the world. 

In addition, Dr. Tenore founded and directed the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT), a partnership of research institutions, environmental managers, and industry representatives which fosters sensor technologies for use in environmental monitoring in the coastal zone.  The activities of ACT extend globally under the sponsorship of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Ken received his Bachelor’s degree from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire and his Ph.D. in Oceanography from North Carolina State University in 1970 where he conducted his early research on bottom dwelling marine organisms and shellfish aquaculture.  While at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute from 1972 - 1975 and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography from 1975 – 1983 he was a pioneer in understanding how plant detritus moves into the marine food chain. 

Dr. Tenore passed away at the University of Maryland Medical Center while undergoing treatment for acute pancreatitis.  He is survived by two siblings, a sister Dr. Elizabeth J. Tenore, a brother Louis James Tenore, and a nephew, Louis James Tenore, Jr. 

Friends may call at the Rausch Funeral Home, 4405 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, MD Thursday, May 11 from 7 – 9 PM.  Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, May 12 at 1 PM at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 14400 Solomons Island Road, Solomons, MD.

Memorials:  Friends and colleagues of Dr. Kenneth R. Tenore have established a memorial fund in his name to support graduate education at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory.  Donations can be sent to: Dr. Kenneth R. Tenore Graduate Scholarship Program, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, P.O. Box 38, Solomons, MD  20688.  Checks should be made payable to The University of System of Maryland Foundation, Inc.

Additional information about Dr. Tenore can be found at Chesapeake Biological Lab and the Baltimore Sun.

CONTACT:
Dave Nemazie
410.228.9250 ext. 615
nemazie@ca.umces.edu