Grefe was a maintenance foreman for Dow in Midland, Mich., retiring in 1980. Following retirement, he had more time to devote to his passion ? birding. Grefe has been instrumental in doing Refuge bird surveys. He has seen 255 of the Refuge's nearly 270 recorded species. Grefe saw both white ibis ever recorded on the Refuge that somehow meandered here from their typical Gulf and Atlantic coastal ranges. Grefe commented that, ?Every time is a new experience. You never know what you will see. Sometimes you don?t see anything.?

Grefe and his group of five volunteers coordinate the MAPS (Monitoring Avian Production and Survivability) study on the Refuge. The study is entering its sixth year of the total 10 year study. This group of dedicated volunteers leave home by 4 a.m. to ensure that the mist nets are set up before sunrise.

Grefe has been instrumental in recruiting and mentoring other birders for the Refuge. He is seen as a bird expert in the region. When not on the Refuge, Grefe spends a great deal of time volunteering at local nature centers and State parks. He has done hundreds of bird banding demonstrations through the years for school children and adults alike. He currently serves on the Friends of Shiawassee NWR Board of Directors.

Bob is a humble man and in his words, ?I haven?t done anything special.? The staff at Shiawassee NWR knows otherwise.