Tribute to GSOC Past President Rosemary Richartz Kenney (1926-2024)

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Tribute to GSOC Past President Rosemary Richartz Kenney (1926-2024)

Another important long-time GSOC Past President has passed away. Rosemary Kenney (1926-2024) would have been 98 years old if she had lived 6 more days. She was also GSOC’s longest membership at the time of her death, having joined the society in 1962 (according to her presidential write-up). Rosemary was GSOC President in 1989, which, unsurprisingly, was also the year she retired.

Rosemary was a strong and independent woman who loved to travel. Rosemary Richartz was born on a dairy farm in Touchet, Washington, and was the valedictorian of her high school in Umapine, Oregon. She then attended Oregon State University and received her BS in Home Economics in 1948, then a certificate in Food and Nutrition 1949. She used this education to become a dietician, a ubiquitous profession which proved to be a handy career for someone who loved to travel.

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Goodbye to a dear friend, Bev Vogt

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Goodbye to a dear friend, Bev Vogt

Former GSOC President Bev Vogt — who with her partner in life and geology “Bart” Bartels — led a rejuvenation of our club in the 1990s and 2000s, died peacefully in her home on July 28, 2021. For many of us who remember Bev’s gentle leadership, Bart’s fascinating seminars, and the outstanding field trips they led together, they were very much the heart of the club.

Photo by Dave Olcott

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GSOC Charter Member Lon Hancock First to Discover Vertebrate Fossils in Oregon's Clarno Formation

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GSOC Charter Member Lon Hancock First to Discover Vertebrate Fossils in Oregon's Clarno Formation

By Viola L. Obserson, GSOC President 1984. Reprinted with permission from Oregon Geology, Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries, December 1979.

Paleontologists the world over know of the work of Alonzo Wesley "Lon" Hancock (1884-1961). Professional men from the universities and museums of the world came to his door to study the fossils he found. He considered himself an amateur, attained no college degrees, and published no scientific papers, but the fossils his persistence enabled him to find have been the subjects of numerous papers, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations. And part of the geologic history of ancient Oregon has had to be rewritten because of his discoveries.

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Women in Geology: Margaret Steere

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Women in Geology: Margaret Steere

Diligent, talented, industrious and devoted are only some adjectives to describe Margaret Steere. Margaret was a native of Michigan, but came to Oregon early during her career. Schooled at the University of Michigan with degrees in geology, Margaret applied her skills in cartography for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. She joined the staff of Oregon’s Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and worked for 30 years as a geologist and geologic editor. Upon retirement, Margaret continued her service to the state as a volunteer. Margaret’s expertise in geology included paleontology as she utilized her skills to maintain and curate the collection for DOGAMI’s museum as well as authoring numerous articles on fossils.

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Charter GSOC member Lon Hancock was first to discover vertebrate fossils in the Oregon's Clarno Formation

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Charter GSOC member Lon Hancock was first to discover vertebrate fossils in the Oregon's Clarno Formation

By Viola L. Obserson, GSOC President 1984. Reprinted with permission from Oregon Geology, Oregon Dept. of Geology and Mineral Industries, December 1979.

Paleontologists the world over know of the work of Alonzo Wesley "Lon" Hancock (1884-1961). Professional men from the universities and museums of the world came to his door to study the fossils he found. He considered himself an amateur, attained no college degrees, and published no scientific papers, but the fossils his persistence enabled him to find have been the subjects of numerous papers, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations. And part of the geologic history of ancient Oregon has had to be rewritten because of his discoveries.

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GSOC 50 Years Ago, 1964 Annual Campout

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GSOC 50 Years Ago, 1964 Annual Campout

Friday, September 4th, 1964, GeeSockers began to gather at the Rujada Forest Camp. As shadows vanished in the twilight, the dancing council fire drew everyone to exchange views with the stars and each other. Trip Chairman Truman Murphy wore out his thumb with his guitar accompaniment of the songfest from “Barney Google" to 'Goodnight Ladies", while Echo II sailed overhead. 

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