Stewart R. Wallace — 1919–2009 - Society of Economic Geologists

MEMBERSHIP
58 SEG NEWSLETTER No 78 JULY 2009
personal notes & news
AWARDS
FRANÇOIS ROBERT (SEG 1991 F), Barrick
Gold Corporation, has been awarded The
Duncan R. Derry Medal for 2009. This is
the highest award bestowed by the GAC
Divisional Awards Mineral Deposits
Division (MDD). It is awarded annually
to the outstanding economic geologist
who has made significant contributions
to the science of economic geology in
Canada.
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of long-time
SEG member Professor Mike Solomon on May 27, 2009.
Mike played a leading role in the development of economic
geology, both in Australia and internationally. He
had numerous achievements during a highly distinguished
career, which include his pioneering work with volcanicassociated
deposits, which put the Mount Read volcanic arc
firmly in the lexicon of geologists around the world.
Traits that were always abundantly evident throughout
his working life were his desire and ability to test the limits,
which often led to new ways of thinking and advances in the
understanding of the science. For instance, one of his many
respected and influential publications was on “The formation
of massive sulfide deposits on the sea floor,” co-authored
with John Walshe and published in Economic Geology in
1979. This visionary work correctly predicted the existence of
“black smokers” on the sea floor long before they were discovered
in deep sea dives—a view that was met with a great
deal of scepticism from his peers at the time.
In 1972, Mike initiated the first papers on the evolution of
ore deposits in relation to the plate-tectonic evolution of the
Tasman orogenic zone, and his book The Geology and Origin
of Australia’s Mineral Deposits (co-authored with David Groves)
is still considered the premier overview of those deposits and
their setting more than 15 years after its publication.
Among Mike’s many accolades were the Heemskirk Medal
(1979), the Stillwell Award (1987) and the SEG R.A.F. Penrose
Medal (2007).
In addition to his many academic achievements, Mike
will be remembered for his ability to bring geology alive and
make it fun. As a young lecturer he was particularly popular
with his students for his willingness to join in at social functions
and his capacity to introduce intriguing topics to the
lecture theatre. On one occasion his guest speaker gave a
talk on “Pyrite, Politics and Promiscuity in Cuba.”
In the photo above, Mike stands on the far left.
CAREER-RELATED
CHANGES
WILLIAM LINDQVIST (SEG 1993 F) has
been appointed as an independent director
on the board of Evolving Gold Corp.
CRAIG B. SMITH (SEG 2008 M) has been
named executive manager of the
Geological Society of South Africa. He
replaces Leopold Bosch, the first executive
manager of GSSA, who has retired
but plans to remain active.
DEATHS
MICHAEL M. SOLOMON (SEG 1964 SF) — 1928–2009
Contributed by Ross Large
DEATHS
RICK H. RUSSELL (SEG
1993 F) died suddenly
on April 6 of pancreatic
cancer. Members
who would like to
write to his wife,
Kath leen, are encouraged
to do so (8674
South Littlecloud Rd.,
Sandy, UT 84093).
ALEXANDER C.
M. MCKINLAY
(SEG 1968 SF)
died March 18,
in Australia,
after a short
illness. No further
details
are available
at this time.
Many of his students have gone on to
become leading economic geologists in their
own right, including David Groves, who gave
the citation at the presentation of Mike’s
Penrose Medal, John Walshe, Geoff Green,
Noel White, Chris Heinrich and Ross Large, to
name just a few. They, like many other geologists,
over many years, have looked upon Mike as a
character, a leader, a mentor and, most of all, a friend.
He will be sorely missed, but his legacy certainly lives on.
The University of Tasmania SEG student chapter plans to introduce
the Mike Solomon Memorial Lecture. The lecture will be held annually
at CODES – ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits. 1