Augustus (Gus) D. Ben David 2nd, the Vineyard’s famed wildlife specialist and former director of Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, died on July 4 at the age of 81. He died at his home in Edgartown after an extended illness, surrounded by family.
Gus, as everyone called him, was known and respected worldwide for his scientific knowledge and his kindness. The path to his home was a busy one, traveled by decades of Island children (and adults too, but everyone became a child when in the company of Mr. Ben David) to seek wisdom from a man whose knowledge of the wild creatures of the air, water and ground was limitless.
In an interview with the Gazette in 2000 he described his role as a teacher this way: “To be an effective educator you have to be a kid yourself. When you teach kids, you become a kid.”
But it wasn’t only people who found their way to his home in the woods outside Edgartown. Animals arrived continuously — injured ones, sick ones, fledglings who had fallen out of their nest. His home was part wildlife park and rehabilitation center. Giant turtles and snakes, bald eagles, golden eagles, raptors, frogs, rare salamanders, herons, ospreys, owls, fish, chickens — the list of creatures living at his home was a veritable Noah’s ark of representation.
And by introducing generations of kids to the life cycles of animals he also sought to teach his students to be better humans.
“I teach those kids about nature but people assume I want them all to grow up and be naturalists,” he said in a 2005 interview with the Gazette. “But I don’t care whether they grow up to be lawyers or doctors. I do care that they grow up to be caring, compassionate individuals.”
Mr. Ben David was born in Oak Bluffs in 1943. A third-generation Islander, he recalled in various interviews an immediate fascination with wildlife. A 1955 article for the Sunday Standard-Times described how at nine years old Gus was already an avid farmer and caregiver to the creatures he met, tending to nearly 100 chickens, a host of mallard ducks and a baby lamb he nursed back to health.
“That sheep was sure small so I called him Little One and let him run around the house until he got bigger,” Gus recalled in the 1955 interview. “I took him to school. He was a little scared at first in class but the kids liked him and soon he made himself at home and stayed all day.”
After graduating from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School he earned a degree in poultry science at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. He was drafted into the Army in 1964 and when discharged returned to the Vineyard for good.
He became director of Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in 1969, a position he held until his retirement in 2005. Suzan Bellincampi, the current director, succeeded him.
“No one’s replacing Gus, you can’t replace Gus,” Ms. Bellincampi said at the time. “I only hope to honor his legacy. Gus has big shoes and I have little feet.”
Felix Neck was created on land purchased in 1963 by George Moffet Jr. from Walter Smith to preserve it for conservation. At first it was called the Martha’s Vineyard Natural History Society, under the leadership of Anne Hale. Fern and Feather Natural History Day Camp was created there soon after, and in 1969 Mr. Ben David became the director, quickly establishing it as one of the leading wildlife centers in the country.
He summed up his philosophy to life and teaching this way: “I have a universal statement that is shared: We live by encouragement and die without it — slowly, sadly and angrily.”
And encourage he did.
Generations of Islanders learned at his knee about the life cycle (and awesome jaw power) of a 50-pound snapping turtle named Big Al, touched their first (and most likely only) Burmese python and marveled up close at the wingspan and talons of a golden eagle.
Mr. Ben David was certified as a rehabilitator of eagles, a rare thing for the U.S. government to approve.
“For many years the federal government would place eagles with me that needed to be rehabbed to go back to the wild,” he said in a 2022 interview with the Gazette. “So then I applied for an educational permit for a golden eagle and one was available.”
The golden eagle he adopted was 12 weeks old when he brought it home. Mr. Ben David was 38 at the time. He named it Chameli. For the first few weeks he curled up in a sleeping bag on the ground beside Chameli, ready to offer food whenever she was hungry.
“It’s called the manning process,” he said in the 2022 interview. “What you’re doing is getting the bird to trust you and to have no fear. And the relationship is through food. You feed it all the time on the fist. Mice, rats, some roadkill.”
Their relationship continued until Mr. Ben David’s death.
Mr. Ben David was also responsible for reviving the osprey population on the Island as founder of the Osprey Project. In 1971, there was a single pair of osprey nesting on Martha’s Vineyard. With the help of others on the Island, he began putting up poles around at appropriate potential nesting sites. By 2017, there were 146 poles and 90 pairs of nesting osprey here.
While working at Felix Neck, he created the World of Reptiles and Birds Park on his property in 1995, continuing for decades, with a mixture of merriment and seriousness, to welcome Islanders to the wonders of nature and its creatures. He often arrived at the Gazette office carrying with him salamanders, baby owls or Chameli to introduce a new generation of reporters to the wild world of the Vineyard.
“A little mud puddle turns me on today as it did when I was a little boy because it might be filled with tadpoles or insects," he said in a 1994 interview with the Gazette.
It was where his heart led from the very beginning.
“We’re not supposed to be born with innate traits, but I was,” he said in a 2005 interview with the Gazette upon his retirement from Felix Neck. “People always ask me ‘Gus, when did you start getting interested in animals?’ Well, I didn’t get started. I have always been fascinated, since I could breathe. I got started out of the womb.”
To hear Mr. Ben David in his own words, here is a link to a video interview done by Linsey Lee at the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
This article appears in July 5, 2024.
I am so sad to hear this. Talking to Gus always gave me greater understanding of and appreciation for the natural world, and more faith in humanity. I like to think he lives on in generations of Island osprey chicks and turtles, owls, and creatures of all kinds. What a legacy. His family and friends — and animal companions, like Chameli — are in my thoughts.
Gus was one of the most incredible people and one of my greatest teachers. What he did in his life time for all of us, the island and the Earth we could never stop saying thank you to him. I feel so blessed to have known him and I am so grateful for what he taught me as I was growing up on the island. When I see an osprey I know without Gus they would not be thriving as they are today.
My heart goes out to his whole family he will be truly missed.
I am so sorry to hear about Gus. When I was in elementary school he lived up the street from our family. We would walk by his house on the way home to see his snake I front of his house. Prayers to his family.
This is a tremendous loss for not only the island but, the world. Condolences to the family
I am so sad to hear this. To this day, I fondly remember my time at Felix Neck as a camper and all the great experiences I had visiting with Gus. He is an Icon of MV and I will forever cherish my memories of him.
Jan – it’s your cousin Jenny. Gus was the best boss ever. Thank you for your kind words. Hope you are well.
Gus Ben David’s passing is such a loss for Martha’s Vineyard. Many years ago my now adult daughter attended Felix Neck programs when he was in charge. He was legendary even then. I don’t know that he can ever be replaced. I’m glad that he did live a long and productive life and grateful to how much care and knowledge he brought to the island’s wildlife. He will be missed.
Gus is the richest man I have known. His life well lived is a beacon to all who care about the natural world. He gave freely of his knowledge, time and love to all the children who visited him at Felix Neck and later the reptile farm. By his example he taught great respect for the world around us and for one another. A fine and decent man has passed. We mourn his loss but celebrate knowing him. If there is a heaven and I hope there is, all the hosts must have assembled to welcome this man, Gus Ben David into their throng. May the family and our island find peace and comfort in his legacy.
There are 2 things I do when I go to the Vineyard: one is to hug the statute of Rachel Carson in Wood’s Hole; the other is to wake up every morning and thank Gus Ben David for all of his hard work. It is hard to imagine anyone who understood or loved wildlife more. He will be sorely missed. Love to the family.
Sad day…a true island legend
A beautiful, beloved man from an old Oak Bluffs family. Love and blessings to Gussie and the Ben David Family.
One of one. Thank you, Gus, for everything you did for nature as well as sharing your love of it. Rest in Peace.
An island legend, touched generations of my family. Rest easy Gus. We miss you already.
During a five year period a few years ago I had the pleasure by way of good friends to meet Gus. We shared dinner,cocktails and good conversation multiple times and I am better off for it. I knew real genius and passion when I saw it and his true love for animals of all kinds, especially birds of prey was infectious.I learned so much from him and woke up daily to the sight outside my window of one of the Osprey nests he was responsible for at Felix Neck, brimming with new life. To this day as recently as three days ago I asked friends about his health and well being. Very sad. One of the island’s and New Englands great treasures. Rest in Peace Gus, you a were a class act.
Huge loss. A great friend of wildlife and people. Good man. RIP, Old Friend.
Gus did more for Marthas Vineyards people and visitors than anyone i know a friend to all birds- reptiles-animals of any size or shape-humans too-Gus was color blind-did not have a bad bone in his body-we need a statue of Gus in the rotary-a true son of the island RIP old friend
A statue of Gus. I love that idea.
What a great idea!
Be in touch, Trip. I’m in!
Trip, we’re on the same Alpha wave. A statue of Gus will be a lasting tribute to a world-renowned Naturalist and Island Son who has left the indelible mark of loving all living creatures with those who were fortunate to have met and engaged with him.
And how fitting a location for placement in the Rotary located at the crossroad of the Island at Edgartown/Vineyard Road and Barnes/Airport Road. PERFECT! I’m sure someone will be willing to undertake the task of creating a work of art/sculpture of Gus and perhaps with his golden eagle.
Gus and Chameli – the photograph of the two of them in this article is a great start for a sculpture.
Terrific idea Trip.
Yes Trip! He was such a special friend to ALL the inhabitants of this beautiful island. He deserves a statue of remembrance for his incredible life and legacy.
I bet if you started the Go Fund Me, everybody’d contribute!
How about a weather vane in the rotary by someone we all know!
An honor an a pleasure to have met Gus. My daughters adored his Felix Neck chats and exploring the shore with him many years ago. Very fond memories.
Trip, Please post of this is happening I would love to donate and help raise it.
This is a name I recognize from my father, Francis Cole originally from Tisbury, Class of 1948. Knew the Ben David name. My condolences to the Ben David family.
What an island treasure. Grateful to have known him and honored to have witnessed the special bond he had with Chameli. My sincere condolences to his family.
So very sorry to hear of Gus’s passing. He was truly a gentle soul. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
So sad. He was always available for help or advice. Rest in peace, Gus.
I’m very sad to hear of Gus’s passing. He was my neighbor for many years. I am lucky to have known him. My deepest condolences to his family.
We cannot say enough.He meant so much to so many of us. We will always remember Gus with gratitude having been able to find in our lives such a rare human being.
My son Peter and his friend Tom Chase worked with Gus to create Felix Neck. He was a kind taskmaster and mentor to them when they were teenagers and probably helped set them both on their future work paths.
The whole Rabinowitz family will be forever grateful to Gus. May he rest in peace.
My sincerest condolences to All of his four children his wife and all who loved Gus. A true original.
Such a great family friend. Growing up Gussy and my brother Terry were partners in crime and remained friends their whole lives. Such great memories and now they can continue making more. Gussy was amazing and loved all his animals. I will miss you my friend as will so many people whose life you have touched.Love❤️❤️❤️❤️
Huge loss, incredible resource, trusted advocate. Condolences to all, as he will be missed well beyond his family.
Gus made the trip up island to my house many summers bringing his animals, wonder and joy to my grandchildren and the many other children I would gather to be enchanted by him. The owl and its keen eyesight, the powerful jaws of the turtle and the homing doves were especially popular, but the fact that he got me to actually touch a snake made history in my family!
Gus was the kindest man and an amazing teacher. He will be greatly missed.
In the tapestry of life, there are individuals whose threads shine brighter, not because they seek the spotlight, but because their kindness and unwavering dedication leave an indelible mark on all they touch. My Uncle Gus was one such individual.
Gus was not just a beloved and respected island naturalist; he was the very embodiment of compassion and generosity. His presence was a constant source of warmth and comfort, always looking out for us with a gentle smile and an open heart. Whether it was sharing his vast knowledge of nature or simply offering a listening ear, Uncle Gus’s kindness knew no bounds.
He had a unique way of making everyone feel valued and important, fostering a sense of community and belonging that was palpable to all who knew him. His dedication to the island and its natural beauty was a testament to his character, reflecting his deep-seated love and respect for the world around him.
As we reflect on his life and legacy, we are reminded of the countless ways he touched our lives. Uncle Gus’s legacy is not just one of knowledge and expertise but of kindness, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In celebrating Uncle Gus’s life, we honor a man who truly made the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time. Rest in peace, Uncle Gus. Your memory will always be cherished and inspire us.
Love, nephew Lyle
I would like to thank the Vineyard Gazette and Bill Eville for this beautifully done tribute. It was very nicely done. Thank you.
Your words were “icing on the cake” of a glorious tribute to someone who truly left this world a better place.
You were so fortunate to have Gus in your family. At the same time, you must be feeling such terrible loss. I can relate to loss due to my own family members recently passing away. I want to say to you and your entire family, many of us loved and admired Gus in part because he was one of us, an islander. In that way, he was part of all our families. We were so proud of him and so privileged to know him. He will never be forgotten. RIP.
To those of us who had the experience of meeting Gus, whether in a group at his home or in a visit to him to savor his surroundings and learn, we are all richer for this man. His service to his country, and then to the island and world, is inestimable. The legions of creatures, great and small, that became visible to us including his decision several decades ago to nurture ospreys, a unique being, on-island, provided a pathway for many of us to not ‘suburbanize’ our yards, but to naturalize them for birds, bees and butterflies. Our children and students were enriched at Felix Neck. As you move across the universe, Gus, you are an eternal spirit to us, your mentees, and all you informed and inspired. Shine on!
To those of us who had the experience of meeting Gus, whether in a group at his home or in a visit to him to savor his surroundings and learn, we are all richer for this man. His service to his country, and then to the island and world, is inestimable. The legions of creatures, great and small, that became visible to us including his decision several decades ago to nurture ospreys, a unique being, on-island, provided a pathway for many of us to not ‘suburbanize’ our yards, but to naturalize them for birds, bees and butterflies. Our children and students were enriched at Felix Neck. As you move across the universe, Gus, you are an eternal spirit to us, your mentees, and all you informed and inspired. Shine on!
Blessed to have known Gus for 60+ years; as a friend & colleague. He is a true Renaissance Man as his impact was global yet his labors were not in a lab or university; his husbandry of creatures wet, dry, scaled,
feathered & furred was in his homewaters. The animal he was most skilled in communicating with was man. This made his education seamless as it was rendered genuinely to a neighbor or soon to be friend age didn’t matter. His legacy & love live on. Every time I see a raptor wheel in the sky I think of Gus.
feathered & furred was in his community. While he was a giant
What a loss. I’m so sorry to hear that he is gone. He welcomed us to Felix Neck many times and into his home more than once. He will be missed by people and animals alike.
“Uncle Gus” is the name we called him.
My children were introduced to Uncle Gus at Felix Neck where they attended camp when they were old enough. They followed him into retirement at the bird and world of reptiles. It wasn”t unheard of for us to visit there several days each week in the summer. My daughter fell in love with this place and adored Gus, “Uncle Gus” following him into his profession with a degree in Animal Science from UVM. I will always be struck by his humanity and love for caring for creatures and teaching children. You will be missed.
So so special person Gus was!
Not just with animals and feathered ones but with people !
Working at Felix neck in late 1980s holds a special place in my heart and deepening my connection with land and all beings.
I’m so sad to read this news. Gus was so kind to my Mom and me. We so admired his depth of knowledge and caring for wildlife.
To say that Gus was a force of nature would be a lazy reliance on what has become a cliche. Gus was a force of nurture. He nurtured a love of the world around us in the countless people with whom he shared his infinite love and understanding of the world evolution gave us.
Gus and Dick Jennings, another of the Island’s “Osprey Mafia” that we lost earlier this year, are up in Naturalist Heaven arguing about whose Osprey nest will fledge more young this year.
Watching the pond from his little cabin, and meeting his owls were some of the highlights of my life. I feel lucky to have met Gus and Dick.
A huge loss to the Martha’s Vineyard community. Gus was a legend.
Gus was like a rock star to me. The work he did to revive the osprey population (and his care for all of the island’s creatures) is an incredible legacy to leave behind. Thank you for sharing your passion – I think of you and Dick Jennings and Rob Bierregaard so often when monitoring my nests in MA and CT. Chatting with the three of you in your little cabin for a Gazette assignment is still one of my favorite memories. Rest in peace, Gus, fly high.
Simple the best! Great guy! RIP
So sad to hear the passing of Gus. He was such a integral part of our community. He was always so kind to our family attending every birthday party in Vineyard Haven. We are thinking of his family during this difficult time.
There several are osprey flying around hunting over the Lagoon every day who would never have been here without Gus’s work. Thank you Gus.
There are few people in ones life who have deep and meaningful impacts that alter the way we look at the world, and Gus was one of those people. As one of the first Fern and Feather campers, Gus not only educated me, he also introduced me to two people who have mentored me as an ornithologist and as friends. Gus lived a life of service and generosity and led by example. I will be forever grateful to him and pay forward what he so generously gave.
Hard to imagine MV without our “Gus” Ben David.
The Osprey is my favorite bird, because of him.
What a wonderful gentleman.
I knew Gus as we were growing up. I had little opportunity to see him in the past 30 years. I did review his activity and certainly appreciated it.
RIP Gus and condolences to your family.
I still hear his voice distinctly despite the decades past since I was a camper under his care and then lucky enough to work for him some 30 years ago. His voice inspired so many including me to follow our hearts and be stewards and defenders of wild places and creatures. His passing is a tremendous loss and I am deeply saddened by it.
Peace be with you, Gus. Felix Neck was an important part of my youth on the vineyard. My daughter went to the wonderful Mass Audubon camp there when she was small. She is now 26, when I told her that Gus had passed away she was very sad to hear it. His reach was multi-generational. We were lucky to have known him.
Gus was one of the great heroes of my children’s lives when they were young. My daughter for years announced her intention to have a museum in her house when she grew up, like Gus. And a generation before that, I was awed by him during my weeks at Fern and Feather. Though I knew he had aged, I have always thought of hm as a force of nature; it is hard to imagine that he’s gone. He shaped the lives of generations of Vineyard kids. I’ll miss him.
I never met Gus but I felt like I knew him from everything my dad, Dick Jennings told me about him. I’d laugh when my dad referred to he and Gus as the banana brothers.
Wishing your family peace in this time of sorrow and lose.
Chris Jennings
Gus was a dear and long time friend friend. We shared many times together from eagle Counting at Quabbin, Trips to Saint Catherine’s, many Christmas counts and Off season trips to Chappy. Gus was an inspiration to all who knew him and his energy and love of life lives on in all of us.
Gus has been an inspiration to Islanders. His collective knowledge of nature informed all of us who lived on MV. I hope generations to come will learn about Gus’ genius.
Gus was not only a great friend and resource to me whenever I needed help with an injured animal I found at the side of the road, but he also was incredibly reliable, responsive and kind, and of course hugely knowlegeable in all things concerning Island wildlife. I learned so much from him, especially in my early years of living on the Island during the 70ties and Eighties while he was still spending much of his time at Felix Neck. That magical place and Gus will be forever etched in my memories. We will miss him, though we are so grateful to have known him. He taught all of us to think of ourselves as part of nature and to call all the animals and birds god’s creatures. I have always had the deepest respect for Gus! Sending our Love to his family and Condolences!
So many wonderful tributes! There’s not much I can add except to say it is an honor and privilege to have known Gussie. I met him over 40 years ago, and from day one, I was struck by his wonderful spirit, his passion and knowledge of the Natural World and his kindness and willingness to share his knowledge. I think that is his legacy and we are richer for it. Deepest condolences to the Family and myriad of friends and those he touched.
RIP, GussieBenDavid.
There won’t be another like him.
R.I.P Gus.And to his family sorry for your loss. Gus will be missed very much.From the Marshall Family
Thank you all
Gus was the finest friend to the natural world and the years I worked with him are a cherished memory. My heart aches at his loss but what a gift he was to all who knew and loved him. Aloha dear friend.
Angels walk among us, Gus was an angel…RIP a vineyard hero who should be honored…
His legacy will live on through those of us that he taught to love and appreciate the animals that coexist with us
Gus, my heart is breaking.
My Dad, Milton “Danny” Sylva, JR grew up with Gus and the rest of the Ben David boys, now men. He has always thought highly of him and the work he did on the island. He will be greatly missed by the Sylva Family. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family during this time. He will be missed.
My heart felt a big bang of sorrow, on the 4th; when I heard that Gus Ben David had begun to journey on into that place where all the birds that he healed and went on before him has gone. Gus was one of my first teacher’s to spark that desire and curiosity in me as a child Naturalist. Fern and Feather was the highlight of the many summer camps we enjoyed as youngins on the Vineyard. He knew and shared the magic of teaching that force for good that nature teaches us if we observe, quietly and listen. What a blessing he was for those of us that were restless with the Minutia of learning science through books. Which of course, I couldn’t get enough of. But when we went to Fern and Feather, a whole new (out)door way of learning it fired up the neurons in our brains synapse, sparking scientific inquiry, in a curious and investigating way; was what Gus taught us. Gus understood our relationship with sentient beings. Early on, I could relate to how similar his teachings were to that of our Wampanoag Ancestors. I felt he was one my ancestorial ancestors. As I reflect upon my early days of teaching.
I utilized the tools that Gus gave me,it was in the way of how we teach young people, by being a young minded and young hearted person. We learned,what to observe, how to interact, by doing this quietly in an attempt to come to a conclusion, or even deciding that the answer is inconclusive because that’s ok when doing scientific research. Yes, he was an exceptional teacher and human being. And my condolences go out to all of the Ben David family members, relatives and friends. We have been truly blessed to have known Gus. Especially, for those of us whose parents forced us to go at the age of ten years old…to a place where it all began in 1969. Now, I understand and appreciate why my mom “made us attend” that first year of Fern and Feather till this day nearly fifty-five years later. Kutâputush/thank you, Gus, for all you did for the preservation of Nöepe,
our sentient beings, both great and microscopic. May we celebrate your life by sharing the compassionate gifts, the knowledge, and force for doing good for our Mother Earth and all that she feeds physically,
spiritually, and mentally, YOU taught us this and more. Cheers to all life! MV will miss you our friend.
Gus hired me in 1992 and I spent four summers learning from the best. He has shaped my life and made me a better person, teacher, parent, and conservationist. His influence on so many kids and adults. The island and the world lost a great soul and a great laugh. My love and respect for that man will never fade. Rest easy, boss.
Anyone who knew Gus will miss him. There are so many really good animal people we have lost recently. Gus taught so many people and gave so much of his time his entire life. There was only one Gus Ben David. Bless you, Gus for everything you gave.
I am saddened to hear about Gus passing. I knew Gus when we both were in the pigeon fancy. I with Norwich Croppers and Gus with his Blue Bar Racing pigeons. Gus visited my house with Tom Chase many years ago to see my pigeons. I would bring his racers home from Edgartown and release them in Middleboro to fly back to Gus. Glad I knew him, RIP Gus.