A heart tugging, scientific exhibit

At the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History is, in my opinion, one of the most moving scientific exhibits I have ever seen. Yes, I am a softie, especially when it comes to animals, but this exhibit almost brought me to tears. It is an exhibit of two skeletons, a man and an extremely large dog, but not just any man and dog. The human skeleton is Dr. Grover Krantz, a professor of physical anthropology at Washington State University, and the dog is his Irish wolfhound Clyde. While the skeletons have scientific value, the fact that Dr. Krantz wanted his remains used for his scientific field after death is a wonderful testament to his love of his chosen scientific field. The fact that Dr. Krantz wanted to be immortalized with his beloved dog is what almost brought me to tears. Rest in peace, Dr. Krantz and Clyde. I’m sure you are both happily together in heaven.

Dr. Krantz and Clyde

The sign accompanying the exhibit is below, and I have quoted the text below it.

Dr. Krantz exhibit sign

Dr. Grover Krantz, a professor of physical anthropology at Washington State University, generously left his remains and those of his beloved 160-lb (72.6-kg) Irish wolfhound Clyde to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

At his death in 2002, according to his wishes, Dr. Krantz’s remains were taken to the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Research Facility, where scientists are conducting many kinds of skeletal research, including studies of soft-tissue decay rates — information that is essential in forensic cases for accurately estimating time since death. In 2003, Grover and Clyde were brought to the museum, so that their skeletons could be used in teaching. Posed here as in life, their skeletons help our scientists teach human and nonhuman skeletal anatomy in relation to biomechanical function.

This exhibit honors Dr.Krantz’s expressed wish to be on display, and his dedication to education and his chosen scientific field.