structural geology, propagation mechanics and - Stanford School of ...

delivered with fortitude, humor, surprisingly good penmanship, enlightened conversation
and a car. What more could one ask from a history major and wooden objects conservator
who could have spent the extra time on his sailboat headed to Catalina? Thanks John.
This brings me to David Pollard, my principal advisor, collaborator and patron. I
arrived at Stanford 15 years after turning down his initial offer of admission, a story Dave
tells with relish. No matter my reasons for that youthful decision, Dave had made an
impression on me. When I finally decided to hunker down on that Ph.D., I approached
only him. Incredibly, he remembered and welcomed me, offering full funding to plug into
a project in some valley full of “bands.” The details mattered less to me than the pure
educational opportunity of it, the exposure to a mind and philosophy at the cutting edge
of structural geology and scientific inquiry itself. I have not been disappointed, and along
the way managed to carve out my own niche in a fascinating field. Dave enabled this,
with measured patience, open-minded rigor and humanity. No matter how dark the day, I
never left his office without feeling better—more calm, clear and confident—than when I
had entered. Anyone who has experienced graduate school knows what a compliment
that is. And yes Dave, Stanford is an incredible place, golf carts notwithstanding.
Of course family plays a huge, albeit at times less visible, role, and my journey is no
exception. Thanks to my mother and father, Eleanor and Paul, for instilling me with
determination, and to my siblings, Karl, Mark and Erika, for helping with humor and
perspective maintenance. To Sarah, the best mother in law a guy could have, thanks for
all the baked goods, barbeques and babying. And to deep-thinker Rye the dog, who so
often kept my feet warm and pinned to the floor beneath my desk..........he’s a good boy.
Finally, I owe my greatest debt of gratitude and all my love to Beth, who encouraged
and nurtured me throughout the entire Ph.D. saga—the ups and downs from conception
to completion and everything in between. She even exhibited the unmitigated faith and
optimism to marry me smack dab in the middle of it all. Although I can never hope to
compensate her for the years of late nights, lost weekends, fits of distraction and bouts of
insomnia, I promise with all my heart to try—lavishing her with all the extra attention
until so recently squandered on my laptop. Beth is my inspiration, my strength, my love
and my best friend. I dedicate this dissertation to her.
vi
KRS, March 21 st , 2006