UC Davis professor emeritus Peter B. Moyle is arguably the most important fish biologist in California’s history. The 84-year-old scientist has authored 10 books, as well as hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and dozens of blog posts. He’s trained a small army of biologists over the course of at least two generations. He’s a valued member of the PPIC Water Policy Center research network and has contributed to many of the center’s key publications. And perhaps most importantly, he’s devoted his career to expanding the understanding of the remarkable diversity—and steep decline—of California’s native fishes.

Last Saturday, a stellar collection of California water leaders, agency heads, wildlife experts, and Moyle’s students and family gathered to pay homage to the man behind the mustache.

Moyle received a standing ovation when he arrived at the venue, a winery nestled at the foot of the Dunnigan Hills outside of Davis. The hills were green and lush, the sun was setting, and a bluegrass band was tuning up as over 150 people mingled, wine glasses in hand.

PPIC Water Policy Center director Letitia Grenier welcomed the crowd, thanking the funders of the newly established Peter B. Moyle Fund for Freshwater for Environmental Water Policy for their generosity.

But it was emcee Jeff Mount who set the tone for the evening, saying “We don’t say ‘thank you’ to people often enough.’” Appreciation—and a healthy dose of laughter—was the order of the day.

First, a powerhouse trio of California water leaders presented Moyle with official letters of appreciation: California Department of Water Resources director Karla Nemeth, California Natural Resources Agency deputy director Samantha Arthur, and newly minted California Department of Fish and Wildlife head Meghan Hertel.

Nemeth leaned on ‘90s pop culture to explain just how revered Moyle is. “There are many moments in the job where I instinctively go back to my Gen X roots and think ‘I am not worthy,’” she laughed.

Moyle’s contributions have helped shape modern conservation, she said, and many of his students have gone into public service to help improve California’s water management. “You must have very broad shoulders, Peter, because so many people are standing on them.”

CNRA’s Sam Arthur concurred: “Peter, we see your fingerprints in many, many places,” she said. Meghan Hertel heralded the sheer numbers at the event. “All these people are here to thank you, to say they love you, to support you. All of them could stand up here and talk for a very long time about the impact you’ve had.”

Awards and resolutions abounded: Senator Padilla presented and unanimously passed a resolution on the US Senate floor last week honoring Dr. Moyle. CalTrout’s Jacob Katz presented Moyle with the first-ever California Fish Hero award. And UC Davis professor Carson Jeffres thanked Moyle on behalf of the legion of former students in the audience, presenting Moyle with “The Best Advisor” award and a 110-page book of stories and photos from Moyle’s students.

“I’m so proud we get to say we were your students, we are your students, and we will always be your students,” said Jeffres.

Jeff Mount, who cofounded the UC Davis Watershed Center with Dr. Moyle, said, “You are the single most important colleague of my entire career. You changed the arc of my career, and you made it incredibly fun. Every day was a discovery with you, and we did something wonderful. Thank you, my friend.”

But perhaps the most moving words of the evening came from Moyle’s daughter Petrea.

“You know this distinguished gentleman we’re celebrating tonight as Dr. Moyle, the fish squeezer, the godfather of California fish biology, or even the Lorax,” said Petrea. “To me, he’s dad.”

Petrea described a childhood full of hiking, camping, and exploring with her parents. And she stressed her parents’ ethic of public service. “They never told me to contribute to the community,” she said, “they showed me.” She said her father was humbled by his good fortune. “He could not believe the university paid him to do something he loved so much, and he felt he owed taxpayers a debt. I think we can all agree that the taxpayers got a hell of a deal.”

“I am so proud to be your daughter. You taught me to love rivers, to embrace learning, to work hard, to love what I do, to give to others, and to try to make the world just a little bit better because I exist. And of course, to look a salmon in the eye without blinking.”

By the time Moyle’s daughter finished speaking, there was not a dry eye in the house. It was a night to remember.