For many western ornithologists the most prominent event of 2012 was not the centennial celebrations of the statehood of Arizona and New Mexico. It was the passing of Gale Monson, who would have celebrated his centennial year on 1 August 2012.The patriarch of Arizona ornithology died peacefully on 19 February 2012 in Albuquerque with one of his daughters and his caregiver at his side.