St. Joseph archaeologist Mike Fisher will tell anyone just how much he's dug the summers of the past 45 years.

Mr. Fisher has helped excavate historical sites in and outside of St. Joseph since 1963. He was honored for those efforts and other archaeological activities during a Sunday afternoon reception at the St. Joseph Museums.

"I'm overwhelmed," he told dozens of family and friends after receiving a series of congratulations. "I'm even better than I thought I was," he quipped.

His successor as St. Joseph Archaeological Society president, Scott DesPlanques, said he understands the role he's been asked to fill. Mr. Fisher had served as the association's president from 1963 until this September.

"He's been going strong with it ever since that time," Mr. DesPlanques said. "He's done a lot of great things for archaeology."

St. Joseph Museums sponsored the celebration along with the society, said Jackie Lewin, executive director of St. Joseph Museums Inc. Mr. Fisher has donated his archaeological collection to the museum, she said.

"Not only will it be a record of prehistoric times, it will be a source for researchers to use," said Ms. Lewin, who's accompanied Mr. Fisher on some of his excavations.

Past museum president Jim Lehr said Mr. Fisher was the authority to call on whenever a question was raised about archaeology and always showed respect for the human remains he discovered.

"He's added professionalism to archaeology in this area," Mr. Lehr said. "He's very meticulous."

Some of Mr. Fisher's more noteworthy digs have included King Hill, Robidoux Row, Pony Express and Fort Smith. He wants to return to the fort - a Civil War site - if health permits.

Sarah Elder, curator of collections at the museum, presented an arrangement composed of coffee, palm and arrowhead plants to Mr. Fisher - who is an avid gardener.

Reception guests had the opportunity to view some of his collection, such as pottery pieces he unearthed. Posters from local students also were displayed, thanking Mr. Fisher for his efforts in archaeological education.

The honoree told the audience he also had spent 10 years as president of the Missouri Archaeological Society and worked on several historic excavations across the state. He wept as he thanked his wife, Margaret, and those who assisted him over the years.

Two of the more significant finds of his career were a water well believed to have been used at the Pony Express stables and that structure's original brick foundation. Both items are now on display at the Pony Express Museum.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.