Evert I. Schlinger passed away during the lunar eclipse in the early morning of Wednesday, October 8, 2014. He was a giant of a man in both stature and accomplishment. He fought for advancing science and improving the environment all of his life. He had a lazar-like ability to dissect problems and find solutions. He was gentle, caring, yet held strong convictions. His work in the systematics of the small-headed fly family Acroceridae was deep and provided the foundation for future workers; his work in biological control was less known but profoundly influenced the course and development of integrated pest management. Perhaps his greatest gift to science was a cadre of students that have made impacts in many areas of entomology and education. For me, he will always be remembered as my best friend and a great mentor.

Michael E. Irwin

Dear all,

I decided to write to all Syrphidologist the bad news about Pavel Láska's death.

Last weeks was Pavel ill and he probably knew that his lifetime was near the end. He was in hurry to finish his projects on Syrphidae as soon as possible. But computer world was unearthly for him (as other older people) to live with computer world in full fruitful friendship. It is pity, that last years I had not enought time to work up all Pavel's requests on Syrphidae work and to finish all his project and plans on Syrphidae as he wanted. I had to visit him in hospital or at his home for many times last weeks to work on our Syrphidae project and his intelect was always in excelent condition. But when I visited him in hospital in Friday to ask for some about Eupeodes, it was the first time in my life (and probably also in his) when his interest in Syrphidae was limited by his health.

Libor Mazánek

[from the Syrphidae mailing list]

Our colleague, Dr. Benjamin A. Foote, passed away as a result of cancer on Sunday, July 7, in Kent, Ohio. His wife, Anita, and several family members were at his bedside at the time. Only a few weeks ago, Ben published a paper in which he honored Anita by naming a new species of Sciomyzidae after her (Pherbellia anitae Foote).

John Rawlings, Chen Young, and I are preparing a detailed biography of Ben to be published in the near future. If you would like to receive a copy, please let me know.

A celebration of life honoring Ben will be held in Kent on August 2. Sympathy cards may be sent to Anita Foote, 492 Harvey St., Kent, OH 44240-2711 USA, email address Afoote8@aol.com.

If you have any photographs of Ben, Anita would appreciate receiving copies of them.

Bill Murphy, Fishers, Indiana USA

PS: Here is a first online obituary: http://hosting-24190.tributes.com/obituary/show/Benjamin-Foote-101505264.

Some of you may be interested to learned that according to this page Andy Lehrer, worker on Sarcophagidae s.l., passed away earlier this year.

Dear Fellow Dipterists and Friends,

We cordially invite you to attend the 8th International Symposium on Syrphidae (ISS8). In this occasion, the ISS8 will take place in the heart of Europe, in the historic town of Monschau (Germany) from 4 th to 8 th of June 2015. After the great time we had in Novosibirsk (Russia), the people voted to have a symposium which reflects a look back to the original model of this symposium: the engagement that stimulates new research collaborations and the delight of sharing experiences on Syrphidae.

We invite you to attend the ISS8 and contribute to the scientific program by presenting your research. Come and meet colleagues, get informed, exchange ideas, and have fun!

Check out: http://iss8.zfmk.de/ for 1st-circular, registration of interest and more information.

We look forward to meeting you all in Monschau.

Best regards,

Björn Rulik & Ximo Mengual
The Organizing committee