PETER KATSAROS, NOTED AMATUER MYCOLOGIST
1926-2007 by Bill Bakaitis

Peter Katsaros died on May 8, 2007, at the age of 80, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. For the last half of his life he had been an active photographer and amateur mycologist. His prize winning photographs have appeared in several formats from popular field guides, texts, the NAMA Round Robin series and most recently, internet websites.

His ability to identify difficult fungi was legendary, as was his attention to detail and precision in textual material. He was often asked to review and assist in the proofreading and editing of both popular and technical manuals.

Peter had an active role in writing and editing the Mushroom sections of the seven set Audubon Society Nature Guides. He is listed there simply as “Mycologist”, taking his place among the ranks of Professors, Lecturers, Curators, and Associates who produced the other sections for the series, a testament to the contributions that Amateurs have made to the study of fungi.

He also authored The National Audubon Society Pocket Guide to Familiar Mushrooms, and may be best known for The Illustrated Guide to Common Slime Molds.

He was a member of The Mid-Hudson Mycological Association, a longtime friend of NAMA, and had a very long and special relationship with COMA, the Connecticut Westchester Mycological Association, where he was a popular speaker. COMA has undertaken the task of preserving Peter’s slides and making the images available on-line. They may be viewed at http://www.pbase.com/comafungi/the_mushroom_photography_of_peter_katsaros.

Donations in Peter’s memory may be made to The Pleasant Valley Free Library, PO Box 633, Pleasant Valley, NY 12569.