2010 President Larry Purchase

In 1943, I was born in Pendleton, OR. My youth was spent working on my family wheat and cattle ranch. After graduation from Pendleton High School, I left for Corvallis to attend Oregon State University. In 1965, I received a BS degree in Range Management. In 1966, I was drafted into the Army, and deployed to Vietnam in 1967. After four years of active duty, I went to work for Bonneville Power Administration doing environmental work. While working at Bonneville, I became Lieutenant Colonel in the army reserves. After 42 years of Federal Service, I retired in 2008.

2010 - LARRY PURCHASE

I am married to Wenonah, and live.in Vancouver, Washington along the banks .of the Columbia River. We have two daughters, and three grandchildren.

Over the years I have always been interested in geology and fossils. I became a member of GSOC in 2006, and served as their president in 2010-2011. Other clubs I belong to are the "Ice Age Floods", North American Research Group, Oregon Archaeology Society, National Speleological Society, and Mt. Hood Rock Club.

My retirement years have been very rewarding. My GSOC and NARG fossil trips to the Oregon Coast, Columbia River Gorge, Utah, Idaho, Montana, and Washington State have been great. I have had a chance to meet new friends, professors, authors, and professionals working through the universities and museums. But by far my association with members of GSOC has been the best, and I'm looking forward to many more fantastic years. Retirement has been good!

Larry’s 2010 President’s Field trip to Delintment Lake, Oregon, was a return to the site of GSOC’S first President’s field trip. He did this to commemorate GSOC’s 75th anniversary.