Dr. Hans-Dieter Sues, a world-renowned paleontologist and longstanding curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, passed away, leaving the scientific community without a bright intellect and a beloved partner. Following a brief illness, Dr. Sues passed away on February 18, 2026, at the age of 68.
His distinguished career began with a Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1984, followed by pivotal roles at the Royal Ontario Museum (where he served as curator of vertebrate palaeontology) and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (as curator of vertebrate paleontology and chair of the Section of Vertebrate Paleontology).
He returned to the Smithsonian in 2005 as Associate Director for Research and Collections in the National Museum of Natural History, before transitioning back to the Department of Paleobiology in 2009, where his leadership, scholarship, and mentorship remained invaluable until his retirement and beyond.
Dr. Sues was one of the most prolific and influential paleontologists of his generation, authoring or co-authoring more than 150 scientific papers and numerous books and monographs on Mesozoic and early Cenozoic vertebrates. His research focused on the evolution of reptiles, early dinosaurs, and the transition from reptiles to mammals, with fieldwork spanning North America, China, and eastern Europe.
Among his most notable contributions was the co-description (with Tyler R. Lyson and others) of Anzu wyliei in 2014—a 500-pound oviraptorosaur from the Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota, popularly nicknamed the “chicken from hell” for its bizarre appearance and imposing size. This feathered dinosaur provided critical evidence for the link between dinosaurs and modern birds and remains one of the most complete large oviraptorosaurs ever found. In recognition of his contributions to dinosaur paleontology, the dome-headed pachycephalosaur genus Hanssuesia was named in his honor in 2002.
Throughout his career Dr. Sues combined rigorous scientific inquiry with a deep commitment to public education and mentorship. He trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to prominent positions in museums and universities.
He was a generous collaborator who worked across institutions and borders to advance understanding of vertebrate evolution. Colleagues describe him as exceptionally kind, intellectually generous, and always willing to share data, ideas, and credit. His warmth, humility, and enthusiasm made him a beloved figure in the paleontological community and beyond.
The Smithsonian Institution, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and numerous professional societies have issued statements expressing profound sorrow and gratitude for Dr. Sues’s extraordinary contributions. His research continues to shape our understanding of Mesozoic ecosystems, dinosaur evolution, and the origins of modern vertebrates. The void left by his passing is felt deeply across the global paleontology community, where his scholarship, mentorship, and collegiality set an enduring standard.
