Stewart R. Wallace — 1919–2009 - Society of Economic Geologists
Stewart R. Wallace — 1919–2009 - Society of Economic Geologists
Stewart R. Wallace — 1919–2009 - Society of Economic Geologists
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MEMBERSHIP<br />
58 SEG NEWSLETTER No 78 JULY 2009<br />
personal notes & news<br />
AWARDS<br />
FRANÇOIS ROBERT (SEG 1991 F), Barrick<br />
Gold Corporation, has been awarded The<br />
Duncan R. Derry Medal for 2009. This is<br />
the highest award bestowed by the GAC<br />
Divisional Awards Mineral Deposits<br />
Division (MDD). It is awarded annually<br />
to the outstanding economic geologist<br />
who has made significant contributions<br />
to the science <strong>of</strong> economic geology in<br />
Canada.<br />
We are deeply saddened to report the passing <strong>of</strong> long-time<br />
SEG member Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Mike Solomon on May 27, 2009.<br />
Mike played a leading role in the development <strong>of</strong> economic<br />
geology, both in Australia and internationally. He<br />
had numerous achievements during a highly distinguished<br />
career, which include his pioneering work with volcanicassociated<br />
deposits, which put the Mount Read volcanic arc<br />
firmly in the lexicon <strong>of</strong> geologists around the world.<br />
Traits that were always abundantly evident throughout<br />
his working life were his desire and ability to test the limits,<br />
which <strong>of</strong>ten led to new ways <strong>of</strong> thinking and advances in the<br />
understanding <strong>of</strong> the science. For instance, one <strong>of</strong> his many<br />
respected and influential publications was on “The formation<br />
<strong>of</strong> massive sulfide deposits on the sea floor,” co-authored<br />
with John Walshe and published in <strong>Economic</strong> Geology in<br />
1979. This visionary work correctly predicted the existence <strong>of</strong><br />
“black smokers” on the sea floor long before they were discovered<br />
in deep sea dives<strong>—</strong>a view that was met with a great<br />
deal <strong>of</strong> scepticism from his peers at the time.<br />
In 1972, Mike initiated the first papers on the evolution <strong>of</strong><br />
ore deposits in relation to the plate-tectonic evolution <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Tasman orogenic zone, and his book The Geology and Origin<br />
<strong>of</strong> Australia’s Mineral Deposits (co-authored with David Groves)<br />
is still considered the premier overview <strong>of</strong> those deposits and<br />
their setting more than 15 years after its publication.<br />
Among Mike’s many accolades were the Heemskirk Medal<br />
(1979), the Stillwell Award (1987) and the SEG R.A.F. Penrose<br />
Medal (2007).<br />
In addition to his many academic achievements, Mike<br />
will be remembered for his ability to bring geology alive and<br />
make it fun. As a young lecturer he was particularly popular<br />
with his students for his willingness to join in at social functions<br />
and his capacity to introduce intriguing topics to the<br />
lecture theatre. On one occasion his guest speaker gave a<br />
talk on “Pyrite, Politics and Promiscuity in Cuba.”<br />
In the photo above, Mike stands on the far left.<br />
CAREER-RELATED<br />
CHANGES<br />
WILLIAM LINDQVIST (SEG 1993 F) has<br />
been appointed as an independent director<br />
on the board <strong>of</strong> Evolving Gold Corp.<br />
CRAIG B. SMITH (SEG 2008 M) has been<br />
named executive manager <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Geological <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> South Africa. He<br />
replaces Leopold Bosch, the first executive<br />
manager <strong>of</strong> GSSA, who has retired<br />
but plans to remain active.<br />
DEATHS<br />
MICHAEL M. SOLOMON (SEG 1964 SF) <strong>—</strong> 1928–2009<br />
Contributed by Ross Large<br />
DEATHS<br />
RICK H. RUSSELL (SEG<br />
1993 F) died suddenly<br />
on April 6 <strong>of</strong> pancreatic<br />
cancer. Members<br />
who would like to<br />
write to his wife,<br />
Kath leen, are encouraged<br />
to do so (8674<br />
South Littlecloud Rd.,<br />
Sandy, UT 84093).<br />
ALEXANDER C.<br />
M. MCKINLAY<br />
(SEG 1968 SF)<br />
died March 18,<br />
in Australia,<br />
after a short<br />
illness. No further<br />
details<br />
are available<br />
at this time.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> his students have gone on to<br />
become leading economic geologists in their<br />
own right, including David Groves, who gave<br />
the citation at the presentation <strong>of</strong> Mike’s<br />
Penrose Medal, John Walshe, Ge<strong>of</strong>f Green,<br />
Noel White, Chris Heinrich and Ross Large, to<br />
name just a few. They, like many other geologists,<br />
over many years, have looked upon Mike as a<br />
character, a leader, a mentor and, most <strong>of</strong> all, a friend.<br />
He will be sorely missed, but his legacy certainly lives on.<br />
The University <strong>of</strong> Tasmania SEG student chapter plans to introduce<br />
the Mike Solomon Memorial Lecture. The lecture will be held annually<br />
at CODES – ARC Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence in Ore Deposits. 1