R. Marlin Perkins Award Recipient: 1982

Charles R. Schroeder, DVM

AZA President 1959-1960
San Diego Zoo

Charlie was born in Brooklyn, New York, on July 29, 1901. He graduated from New York State Institute of Agriculture (Farmingdale, New York) with a degree in horticulture, and continued his studies at the University of Washington-Pullman, where he received his DVM degree in 1929.

Charlie worked as a veterinarian for Lederle Laboratories (later the American Cynamid Company) during 1929-1932, after which he was the Veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo (1932-1937), the Veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo (1937-1939), and once again the Veterinarian at the San Diego Zoo (1939-1941). He worked for Lederle Laboratories again from 1941-1953. He then became the Managing Director of the San Diego Zoo (1953-1972). After his retirement, he served as the Interim Director at the Los Angeles Zoo in 1974 and Interim Director at the Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia, South Carolina) in 1976. He was also responsible for planning, developing and opening the San Diego Wild Animal Park, which opened in 1972.

As a member of AZA, Charlie served on the Health and Welfare Committee (Chair 1956-1957) and was Chair of the Membership Committee. He was also a member of the International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens. He was the first recipient (after the original presentation to the award's namesake) of the R. Marlin Perkins Award in 1982. During his Presidency, the AAZPA Newsletter began publication in 1960, keeper training courses were tried at several regional locations, efforts were made to improve animal record keeping, and better cooperation was encouraged between the Association and public schools/universities.

Dr. Schroeder died on March 21, 1991.