The Robert F. Heizer Memorial Award

The late Robert F. Heizer was one of the most outstanding leaders in the field of Archaeology in the United States of America, and perhaps in the world. He was for many years a Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of the Archaeological Research Facility at the University of California at Berkeley. He received his PhD at Berkeley in 1941 and did archaeological fieldwork in California, Nevada, Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Egypt, and southern Texas. Dr. Heizer authored numerous publications dealing with his work, including two reports in the Bulletin of the Texas Archaeological Society (1957 and 1976) on the Olmec site at La Venta. He was also co-author (with Philip Drucker) of the basic report on that site published in the Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin 170 (1959).

Dr. Heizer had a direct impact on Archaeology in Southern Texas through his work as co-principal investigator at the Baker Cave and through his talk to the annual meeting of the Texas Archeological Society in San Antonio on October 30, 1978. He had perhaps an even greater indirect impact on Archaeology in Southern Texas through his students (most notably Dr. Thomas R. Hester) and friends, who were among those responsible for the founding of the Southern Texas Archaeological Association in 1973 and the Center for Archaeological Research of the University of Texas at San Antonio in 1974.

We will honor the memory of Dr. Heizer and his contributions to archaeology by annually presenting this award to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the study of the archaeology of our area. We can think of no more fitting a way to both remember Dr. Heizer and to honor his memory than through the recognition of the work of others.

From La Tierra, 1979, Vol. 6-4:40

Robert F. Heizer Memorial Award Recipients

"The Robert F. Heizer Memorial Award was established in 1979 by the Southern Texas Archaeological Association to honor those individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the study of the archaeology of this area. For 1980, the award was presented to:

Dr. Thomas Roy Hester." La Tierra 1981, Vol. 8-1

Shirley Van Der Veer." La Tierra 1982, Vol. 9-1

"The Southern Texas Archaeological Association's Robert F. Heizer Award....recognizes major contributions to archaeology, especially those contributions involving the interaction of professional and amateur archaeologists....this year the Heizer Award Committee has chosen to recognize a group of individuals...: the 'Blue Bayou Committee' of Victoria, Texas" La Tierra 1983, Vol.10-1

"In recognition of his devoted service to the southern Texas archaeological community as editor of La Tierra, the Heizer Award Committee was pleased to present the Robert F. Heizer Award for 1983 to Jimmy L. Mitchell at the S.T.A.A. January, 1984 meeting." La Tierra 1984, Vol. 11-1

"In recognition of his Outstanding Contributions to the archaeology of Southern Texas, the 1984 Robert F. Heizer Award was presented to Mr. Cecil Peel...." La Tierra 1985, Vol. 12-1

"In recognition of his Outstanding Contributions to the archaeology of Southern Texas, the 1985 Robert F. Heizer Award was presented to Mr. Charles K. Chandler of San Antonio, Texas." La Tierra 1986, Vol. 13-1

"In recognition of his Outstanding Contributions to the archaeology of southern Texas, the 1986 Heizer Award is presented to Colonel Thomas C. Kelly of San Antonio, Texas." La Tierra 1987, Vol. 14-1

"In recognition of his Outstanding Contributions to the archaeology of Southern Texas, the 1987 Robert F. Heizer Award is presented to Mr. H. Ray Smith....." La Tierra 1988, Vol. 15-1

"In recognition of his Outstanding Contributions to the archaeology of Southern Texas, the 1988 Robert F. Heizer Award is presented to Mr. Richard L. McReynolds...." La Tierra 1989, Vol. 16-1

"The Robert F. Heizer Award for 1989 was granted to Kenneth M. Brown for his outstanding work in the field of archaeology." La Tierra 1990, Vol. 17-1

"In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the archaeology of Southern Texas, the 1990 Robert F. Heizer Memorial Award was presented to W.R. (Van) Van der Veer..." La Tierra 1991, Vol. 18-1

"The 1991 Heizer Award is presented to Ray Blackburn for his continuing stewardship of the archaeological resources of Southern Texas." La Tierra 1992, Vol. 19-1

"The 1992 Robert F. Heizer Award is presented to Anne A. Fox of San Antonio, for her outstanding contributions to the development of our understanding of the exceptional historic and prehistoric archaeological resources of southern Texas." La Tierra 1993, Vol. 20-1

"R.K. 'Pete' Saunders of Canyon Lake, Texas, has made outstanding contributions to Southern Texas Archaeology during 1993 and earlier years...." La Tierra 1994, Vol. 21-1

"Kay Hindes of Charlotte, Texas, and Dr. Grant Hall, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, have made outstanding contributions to Southern Texas Archaeology during 1993 and 1994..." La Tierra 1995, Vol. 22-1

"The 1995 Robert F. Heizer Award for outstanding contributions to Southern Texas Archaeology was awarded to Dr. Alston V. Thoms of Texas A&M Univeristy....." La Tierra 1996, Vol. 23-1

"During 1996, E.H. "Smitty" Schmiedlin has been involved in a variety of activities critical to the future of southern Texas archaeology...." La Tierra 1997, Vol. 24-1

"Everywhere you looked this last year, Mike [Davis] was there....His energy and professionalism sets an example for us all." La Tierra 1998, Vol. 25-1

Southern Texas Archaeological Association

The Robert F. Heizer Memorial Award

Robert F. Heizer Memorial Award Recipients

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