He co-wrote "Sea of Cortez" with marine biologist Edward Ricketts, the model for Doc in "Cannery Row"
[DOC] [TLE] Ed Ricketts - Wikipedia [PAR] Edward Flanders Robb Ricketts (May 14, 1897  May 11, 1948) commonly 
known as Ed Ricketts, was an American marine biologist, ecologist, and 
philosopher.