Doctor Barbara A. Purdy

Dr. Barbara A. Purdy passed away at age 96 on June 1, 2024 of complications from heart disease. She was Professor Emerita of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida (UF), as well as Curator Emerita in Archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, in Gainesville, FL. Barbara taught in the UF Anthropology Department for more than twenty years, inspiring many students of Florida archaeology, and winning teaching awards, including 1985 Teacher of the Year in the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In addition, she conducted many projects in Florida, plus others in Arizona, Idaho, and Washington and was an internationally recognized expert and pioneer in lithic technology and wetland archeology. Barbara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from San Diego State College in 1948, returning to earn her M.A. in 1967 at Washington State University (after her youngest child was six) and Ph.D. at the University of Florida Department of Anthropology in 1971. In the 1970s, Dr. Purdy investigated lithic sites near Gainesville. One site was the Container Corporation of America (CCA) Site, in Marion County, near Ocala. There, she discovered remains she interpreted as pre-Clovis, a perspective ahead of its time. During the 1980s, she assembled her wet site research in a book, The Art and Archaeology of Florida’s Wetlands. She also organized conferences on wet site archaeology in 1986 and 1999, producing publications such as Wet Site Archaeology. Barbara’s desire to educate the public on the correct way to do archaeology culminated in her book, How to Do Archaeology the Right Way. Two other books aimed at the general public appeared later: Indian Art of Ancient Florida and Florida’s People During the Last Ice Age. In 2013, the Southeastern Archaeological Conference presented Barbara with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Florida Anthropological Society Board also recognized her with an FAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. After retiring from teaching, in addition to her professional pursuits, Barbara enjoyed playing tennis and bridge, traveling, entertaining family and friends, and keeping up with the Tampa Bay Rays. Barbara was predeceased by her husband Laurence Henry “Hank” Purdy, her sons Laurence Jeffrey Purdy and Timothy Charles Purdy, and her daughter Paula Elizabeth Purdy. She is survived by her daughter Cynthia D. Bertelsen (Michael); grandsons Erik K. Bertelsen (Amanda), Laurence Alexander Purdy (Anthony), and Karl William Smith (Crystal Lipscomb); granddaughters Crystal Purdy-Newland (Ian) and Rachel Smith; son-in-law Kevin Kramer; daughters-in-law Isabell Purdy and Keiko Purdy; and great-grandchildren Lukas and Llewellyn Bertelsen; and Morgan, William, Lillian, and James Smith. The family would like to thank Community Hospice, especially nurse Leigh Fleming and social worker Tina Walker, for their compassionate caring over the past year. We would also like to thank the Laura Stewart Bridge Group at the Gainesville Senior Center for welcoming Barbara into their ranks. A private memorial service will take place for friends and family at a later date. Donations in Mom’s memory may be made online https://www.uff.ufl.edu/giving-opportunities/021043-barbara-a-purdy-archaeology-research-endowment/ or mailed to Development, Florida Museum, PO Box. 112710, Gainesville, FL 32611. Checks should be made out to the UF Foundation with a note that the gift is for the Purdy Archaeology Endowment 021043.

Doctor Barbara A. Purdy

August 23, 1927 - June 1, 2024