Howling tribute to Haber

Friends literally howled in tribute to Gordon Haber on Saturday as more than 80 people filled the Campbell Creek Science Center at a memorial for the fiery wolf biologist.

Haber died in an Oct. 14 plane crash in Denali National Park and Preserve, one of countless flights he’s made during decades of single-minded study of eastern Denali wolves. Speakers Saturday remembered that devotion as well as Haber’s famously thorny personality.

“Gordon was a brilliant and dedicated scientist. He was quirky, he was obstinate, but most of all he was a fearless advocate for wolves,” said wildlife photographer Johnny Johnson, a longtime friend.

Priscilla Feral, president of the national animal-rights group Friends of Animals, rented space in the science center for the event, said marine sciencist Rick Steiner. Haber’s work — including his papers and Web site, www.alaskawolves.org — will be dedicated to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, he said.