Editing Louis Leakey (section)

== Last years ==

During his final years Louis became famous as a lecturer in the United Kingdom and United States. He did not excavate any longer, as he was impaired by [[arthritis]], for which he had a hip replacement in 1968. He raised funds and directed his family and associates. In Kenya he was a facilitator for hundreds of scientists exploring the [[East African Rift]] system for fossils.

In 1968, Louis refused an honorary doctorate from the [[University of the Witwatersrand|University of Witwatersrand]] in Johannesburg, primarily because of [[apartheid]] in [[South Africa]]. Mary accepted one, and they thereafter led separate professional lives.<ref>Morell Chapter 23, "Mining Hominids at Olduvai".</ref>

In the last few years Louis' health began to fail more seriously. He had his first heart attacks and spent six months in the hospital. An empathy over health brought him and [[Dian Fossey]] together for a brief romance, which she broke off. Richard began to assume more and more of his father's responsibilities, which Louis resisted, but in the end was forced to accept.<ref>Morell, Chapters 27-30.</ref>