Richard Parker Goldthwait, age 81, died 7 July 1992, in Huggins Hospital, Wolfeboro, NH, following a massive cerebral hemorrhage the previous day. He was with his brother on a field trip collecting water samples in Lake Wentworth, near his native and summer home of Wolfeboro.
An internationally respected glacial geologist, Goldthwait studied the characteristics, movements, and deposits of glaciers in Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland, New Zealand, and New Hampshire. Because of his investigations on the glacial geology of Ohio since 1947, Goldthwait became one of
the state's most respected and foremost geologists, having become known for his "Glacial Map of Ohio," co-authored with his colleague, George W. White, and his student, Jane L. Forsyth, and published by the United States Geological Survey (1961, revised 1967). Dr. Goldthwait was president of
The Ohio Academy of Science (1958-1959), and his presidential address, "Scenes in Ohio during the last Ice Age," was published in The Ohio Journal of Science (1959). This paper is still one of the most useful summaries of the Wisconsinan glaciation in Ohio.
Born 6 June 1911, in Hanover, NH, Richard Goldthwait was the older of two sons of James Walter and Edith Dunnel (Richards) Goldthwait. His father, a graduate of Harvard University (A.B. 1902, M.A. 1903, Ph.D. 1906), was a well-known glacial geologist, who came to Dartmouth College (1908) and was elected Hall Professor of Geology (1911). James Goldthwait taught courses in general and glacial geology and conducted field surveys of the geology of the state for more than 36 years. Richard and his younger brother, Lawrence (b.1914), both received early training in geology from their father during summer field expeditions. Both young men took their bachelor's degrees from Dartmouth College and continued on to graduate
study in geology, specializing in glacial geology, with both eventually becoming professors of geology at The Ohio State University and the University of Maine, respectively.
Richard Goldthwait graduated from Hanover High School (1928) and Deerfield Academy (1929). In college he majored in geology at Dartmouth College (A.B. cum laucle, 1933) and Harvard University (M.S. 1937, Ph.D. 1939). His doctoral dissertation concerned the sequence of local cirque
glaciation versus overriding continental ice on Mount Washington, NH. He remained at Dartmouth College as an Instructor in Geology (1934-1935), before doing graduate work at Harvard University while a teaching assistant there (1935-1939). Following the PhD., Dr. Goldthwait was Assistant Professor of Geology at Brown University (1939-1943), Technical Consultant in the United States Army Air Force (1943-1944) in Wisconsin, and then came to Ohio as a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAAF assigned as Materials Engineer at Wright Field, Dayton (1944-1946). In 1946, the late George W. White, geologist with the State Survey, recruited Dr. Goldthwait for the faculty in the Department of Geology and Mineralogy at The Ohio State University, where the latter remained until retirement from teaching (1977). He began as associate professor of geology (1946), was promoted to professor (1948), and became professor emeritus (1977). Concurrently, Dr. Goldthwait founded and was the first director of the Institute of Polar Studies
(now Byrd Polar Research Center) (1960-1965), served as chairman of the Department of Geology and Mineralogy (1965-1969), and as Acting Dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (1972).
Dr. Goldthwait's early research in glacial geology took him to many distant places. He estimated the relative age of the Damariscotta Indian shell heaps on the coast of Maine, mapped the glacial deposits of southwestern Cape Cod, joined an expedition to northeast Tibet, and joined another
expedition, as one of two U.S. geologists, to study the histoiy of the Barnes Ice Cap on Baffin Island. Intrigued by the great glaciers of Alaska, he helped to make the first seismic survey of ice thickness, conducted on Crillon Glacier in 1934. Dr. Goldthwait was the geologist with the Reynolds-Boston Museum expedition to China in 1948. During 1953-1956, he studied the ice cap north of Thule in Greenland. While there and attempting to record
continuous movement of the ice-cliff front, he "invented" the cryokinegraph, an instrument similar to a water-level recorder. Dr. Goldthwait conducted glaciological studies while a Fulbright research scholar in New Zealand (1957). He launched a research program to chart the glacial chronology in Glacier Bay, AK, using the succession of climates and organisms occurring in the wake of present-day retreating glaciers to interpret, in similar fashion, the succession of climates and organisms occurring following the glaciers' retreat during the Wisconsinian ice age. (1958). Dr. Goldthwait published over 100 professional papers and was the writer/editor of five books, including a revision of a book on the geology of New Flampshire, originally
written by his father.
A veteran of numerous expeditions to the world's cold regions, Dr. Goldthwait began organizing, during the 1950s, a group of research scientists interested in the geology, glaciology, botany, and paleontology of the Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. Formal designation of an Institute of Polar Studies on the OSU campus came in 1960, and Goldthwait served as its first director during the first five years of its existence. During austral summers on the Antarctic Continent, he directed teams of international scientists, his OSU colleagues, and graduate students in studies on the glacial geology, stratigraphy, vertebrate and plant fossils, and vegetation, especially the lichens. The Institute of Polar Studies continued under strong leadership and
became one of the world's leading centers for polar research. Because the Institute obtained the extremely valuable collection of Richard F'. Byrd's memorabilia from his polar expeditions, the name of the Institute was changed to the Byrd Polar Research Center (1986), to commemorate this gift and name. The Center's Library, named the Goldthwait Polar Library (1976), that houses Richard Goldthwait's many geology and polar books, was
rededicated when the collection moved to Scott Hall (May 1992). The Library serves as a continuing reminder of Prof. Goldthwait's legacy to polar research and the many students that participated in his programs.
Soon after arriving at The Ohio State University, Dr. Goldthwait began investigating the glacial geology of Ohio, a subject that would occupy his talents until his death. The portions on glacial geology in the bulletins on the water resources of Montgomery and Greene counties were authored
by him (1948, 1950). In 1950, he began the first of six summers in the field for the Division of Geological Survey and began to publish the first of more than 30 papers on the glacial geology of the state. Dr. Goldthwait was among the first to use l4C-dating to unravel the time stratigraphy of glacial deposits. Numerous graduate students wrote theses and dissertations on Ohio glacial geology under his guidance. Dr. Goldthwait's final and perhaps most significant contribution to the glacial geology of Ohio, is a revised map of the glacial deposits of the state, compilation of which occupied much of Dr. Goldthwait's time during his retirement years. This map, to be published by the Ohio Division of Geological Survey, will replace the present Glacial Map of Ohio (U.S. Geol. Surv. 1961, rev. 1967).
Richard Goldthwait held memberships in many professional societies. In addition to being president of The Ohio Academy of Science, he served as president of a section of the Geological Society of America (1971), and Governor of the Arctic Institute of North America (1960-1966). He was elected a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Ohio Academy of Science, the Geological Society of America, and the Arctic
Institute of North America; and was also a member of the American Geophysical Union (1956-1975), American Institute of Professional Geologists (1964-1977), American Polar Society (1950-1992), American Meteorological Society (1939-1950), Alaska Earthquake Commission of the National
Academy of Science (1964-1974), International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), and International Glaciological Society (1947-1992).
Numerous honors have been bestowed on Prof. Goldthwait. While an undergraduate, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa (1933), and was a Rufus Choate Scholar during his senior year. He was elected to Sigma Xi (1948) and served as president of The Ohio State University Chapter (1958-1959)
and a member of its Board of Trustees (1985-1989). Dr. Goldthwait was voted one of the ten outstanding men by the Columbus Dispatch (1962); was "National Lecturer" on Alaskan glaciers for Sigma Xi (1964); received the United States Antarctica Service Medal given by the United States Congress
(1968); the Outstanding Quaternary Scientist Award (1981) and the first Distinguished Career Award (1986), both from the Geological Society of America; elected one of 12 Honorarily Members of the International Glaciology Society (1983); received the Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University (1981); chosen the Paul C. Daniels Memorial Lecturer of the Antarctica Society (1984); and was given a "Token of Esteem" at the 50th Annual Reunion of the Friends of the Pleistocene. Mt. Goldthwait in Antarctica was named in his honor by the United States Board on Geographic
Names (1969). Dr. Goldthwait was the recipient of the Mather Medal for his lifelong contributions to the knowledge of the geology of Ohio, formally recognized by the Ohio Division of the Geological Survey (1989). As a member of The Ohio Academy of Science, Dr. Goldthwait joined (1947), was elected a Fellow (1949), served as vice-president of Section
C. Geology (1952-1953), elected president (1958-1959), participated in the visiting scientist program (1961), and served as chairman of the Government Advisory Committee (1962-1976). It was during his tenure as president that the Academy received the first of several grants from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation toward the establishment of a permanent central office. The acquisition of those grants under Goldthwait's leadership not only changed the Ohio Academy, but also had a profound effect on the entire state academy movement in the United States. Dr. Goldthwait's leadership and personal gifts enabled the Academy to establish The Kirtley F. Mather Memorial Fund in the Geology Section to assist in defraying page charges for papers
published in The Ohio Journal of Science. In 1991, he was one of 25 Centennial Honorees selected by the Academy's Centennial Celebration Commission for contributions to science, education, and the Academy.
In Brookline, MA, 12 June 1937, Richard Goldthwait married Katherine Burnham, who survives along with his brother Lawrence and family of New London, NH; daughters Jane Goldthwait, Burnsville, NC; Susan (Goldthwait) Carlson, Denver, CO; Betsy (Goldthwait) Atkinson, Cedarville, OH; son
Thomas, Concord, NH; and seven grandchildren. He attended the United Presbyterian Church, Worthington, OH; the Roser Memorial Community Church, south of Tampa, FL; and the Wolfeboro Center Community Church, Wolfeboro, NH.
This obituary represents a combined account largely drawn from the following published sources of Dr. Goldthwait's life and career by Michael C. Hansen (Ohio Geology [a quarterly publication of the Division of Geological Survey] Summer 1992, p. 7); Sidney E. White (Arctic and Alpine Research 25: 71-73); and Kenneth C. Jezek (Ice: News Bulletin of the International Glaciological Society, No. 101, pp. 30-31).
A memorial service was held 30 October 1992 for Richard P. Goldthwait at the Fawcett Center, The Ohio State University. Those who spoke were Garry D. McKenzie, organizer; David H. Elliot, Kaye R. Everett, David M. Mickelson, Jane L. Forsyth, and Lynn Edward Elfner, followed by a reception
for family and friends in the Goldthwait Polar Library. Memorial contributions may be made to the Byrd Polar Research Center through the Development Fund of The Ohio State University, Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43210. ~RONALD L. STUCKEY
An internationally respected glacial geologist, Goldthwait studied the characteristics, movements, and deposits of glaciers in Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland, New Zealand, and New Hampshire. Because of his investigations on the glacial geology of Ohio since 1947, Goldthwait became one of
the state's most respected and foremost geologists, having become known for his "Glacial Map of Ohio," co-authored with his colleague, George W. White, and his student, Jane L. Forsyth, and published by the United States Geological Survey (1961, revised 1967). Dr. Goldthwait was president of
The Ohio Academy of Science (1958-1959), and his presidential address, "Scenes in Ohio during the last Ice Age," was published in The Ohio Journal of Science (1959). This paper is still one of the most useful summaries of the Wisconsinan glaciation in Ohio.
Born 6 June 1911, in Hanover, NH, Richard Goldthwait was the older of two sons of James Walter and Edith Dunnel (Richards) Goldthwait. His father, a graduate of Harvard University (A.B. 1902, M.A. 1903, Ph.D. 1906), was a well-known glacial geologist, who came to Dartmouth College (1908) and was elected Hall Professor of Geology (1911). James Goldthwait taught courses in general and glacial geology and conducted field surveys of the geology of the state for more than 36 years. Richard and his younger brother, Lawrence (b.1914), both received early training in geology from their father during summer field expeditions. Both young men took their bachelor's degrees from Dartmouth College and continued on to graduate
study in geology, specializing in glacial geology, with both eventually becoming professors of geology at The Ohio State University and the University of Maine, respectively.
Richard Goldthwait graduated from Hanover High School (1928) and Deerfield Academy (1929). In college he majored in geology at Dartmouth College (A.B. cum laucle, 1933) and Harvard University (M.S. 1937, Ph.D. 1939). His doctoral dissertation concerned the sequence of local cirque
glaciation versus overriding continental ice on Mount Washington, NH. He remained at Dartmouth College as an Instructor in Geology (1934-1935), before doing graduate work at Harvard University while a teaching assistant there (1935-1939). Following the PhD., Dr. Goldthwait was Assistant Professor of Geology at Brown University (1939-1943), Technical Consultant in the United States Army Air Force (1943-1944) in Wisconsin, and then came to Ohio as a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAAF assigned as Materials Engineer at Wright Field, Dayton (1944-1946). In 1946, the late George W. White, geologist with the State Survey, recruited Dr. Goldthwait for the faculty in the Department of Geology and Mineralogy at The Ohio State University, where the latter remained until retirement from teaching (1977). He began as associate professor of geology (1946), was promoted to professor (1948), and became professor emeritus (1977). Concurrently, Dr. Goldthwait founded and was the first director of the Institute of Polar Studies
(now Byrd Polar Research Center) (1960-1965), served as chairman of the Department of Geology and Mineralogy (1965-1969), and as Acting Dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (1972).
Dr. Goldthwait's early research in glacial geology took him to many distant places. He estimated the relative age of the Damariscotta Indian shell heaps on the coast of Maine, mapped the glacial deposits of southwestern Cape Cod, joined an expedition to northeast Tibet, and joined another
expedition, as one of two U.S. geologists, to study the histoiy of the Barnes Ice Cap on Baffin Island. Intrigued by the great glaciers of Alaska, he helped to make the first seismic survey of ice thickness, conducted on Crillon Glacier in 1934. Dr. Goldthwait was the geologist with the Reynolds-Boston Museum expedition to China in 1948. During 1953-1956, he studied the ice cap north of Thule in Greenland. While there and attempting to record
continuous movement of the ice-cliff front, he "invented" the cryokinegraph, an instrument similar to a water-level recorder. Dr. Goldthwait conducted glaciological studies while a Fulbright research scholar in New Zealand (1957). He launched a research program to chart the glacial chronology in Glacier Bay, AK, using the succession of climates and organisms occurring in the wake of present-day retreating glaciers to interpret, in similar fashion, the succession of climates and organisms occurring following the glaciers' retreat during the Wisconsinian ice age. (1958). Dr. Goldthwait published over 100 professional papers and was the writer/editor of five books, including a revision of a book on the geology of New Flampshire, originally
written by his father.
A veteran of numerous expeditions to the world's cold regions, Dr. Goldthwait began organizing, during the 1950s, a group of research scientists interested in the geology, glaciology, botany, and paleontology of the Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. Formal designation of an Institute of Polar Studies on the OSU campus came in 1960, and Goldthwait served as its first director during the first five years of its existence. During austral summers on the Antarctic Continent, he directed teams of international scientists, his OSU colleagues, and graduate students in studies on the glacial geology, stratigraphy, vertebrate and plant fossils, and vegetation, especially the lichens. The Institute of Polar Studies continued under strong leadership and
became one of the world's leading centers for polar research. Because the Institute obtained the extremely valuable collection of Richard F'. Byrd's memorabilia from his polar expeditions, the name of the Institute was changed to the Byrd Polar Research Center (1986), to commemorate this gift and name. The Center's Library, named the Goldthwait Polar Library (1976), that houses Richard Goldthwait's many geology and polar books, was
rededicated when the collection moved to Scott Hall (May 1992). The Library serves as a continuing reminder of Prof. Goldthwait's legacy to polar research and the many students that participated in his programs.
Soon after arriving at The Ohio State University, Dr. Goldthwait began investigating the glacial geology of Ohio, a subject that would occupy his talents until his death. The portions on glacial geology in the bulletins on the water resources of Montgomery and Greene counties were authored
by him (1948, 1950). In 1950, he began the first of six summers in the field for the Division of Geological Survey and began to publish the first of more than 30 papers on the glacial geology of the state. Dr. Goldthwait was among the first to use l4C-dating to unravel the time stratigraphy of glacial deposits. Numerous graduate students wrote theses and dissertations on Ohio glacial geology under his guidance. Dr. Goldthwait's final and perhaps most significant contribution to the glacial geology of Ohio, is a revised map of the glacial deposits of the state, compilation of which occupied much of Dr. Goldthwait's time during his retirement years. This map, to be published by the Ohio Division of Geological Survey, will replace the present Glacial Map of Ohio (U.S. Geol. Surv. 1961, rev. 1967).
Richard Goldthwait held memberships in many professional societies. In addition to being president of The Ohio Academy of Science, he served as president of a section of the Geological Society of America (1971), and Governor of the Arctic Institute of North America (1960-1966). He was elected a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Ohio Academy of Science, the Geological Society of America, and the Arctic
Institute of North America; and was also a member of the American Geophysical Union (1956-1975), American Institute of Professional Geologists (1964-1977), American Polar Society (1950-1992), American Meteorological Society (1939-1950), Alaska Earthquake Commission of the National
Academy of Science (1964-1974), International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), and International Glaciological Society (1947-1992).
Numerous honors have been bestowed on Prof. Goldthwait. While an undergraduate, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa (1933), and was a Rufus Choate Scholar during his senior year. He was elected to Sigma Xi (1948) and served as president of The Ohio State University Chapter (1958-1959)
and a member of its Board of Trustees (1985-1989). Dr. Goldthwait was voted one of the ten outstanding men by the Columbus Dispatch (1962); was "National Lecturer" on Alaskan glaciers for Sigma Xi (1964); received the United States Antarctica Service Medal given by the United States Congress
(1968); the Outstanding Quaternary Scientist Award (1981) and the first Distinguished Career Award (1986), both from the Geological Society of America; elected one of 12 Honorarily Members of the International Glaciology Society (1983); received the Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University (1981); chosen the Paul C. Daniels Memorial Lecturer of the Antarctica Society (1984); and was given a "Token of Esteem" at the 50th Annual Reunion of the Friends of the Pleistocene. Mt. Goldthwait in Antarctica was named in his honor by the United States Board on Geographic
Names (1969). Dr. Goldthwait was the recipient of the Mather Medal for his lifelong contributions to the knowledge of the geology of Ohio, formally recognized by the Ohio Division of the Geological Survey (1989). As a member of The Ohio Academy of Science, Dr. Goldthwait joined (1947), was elected a Fellow (1949), served as vice-president of Section
C. Geology (1952-1953), elected president (1958-1959), participated in the visiting scientist program (1961), and served as chairman of the Government Advisory Committee (1962-1976). It was during his tenure as president that the Academy received the first of several grants from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation toward the establishment of a permanent central office. The acquisition of those grants under Goldthwait's leadership not only changed the Ohio Academy, but also had a profound effect on the entire state academy movement in the United States. Dr. Goldthwait's leadership and personal gifts enabled the Academy to establish The Kirtley F. Mather Memorial Fund in the Geology Section to assist in defraying page charges for papers
published in The Ohio Journal of Science. In 1991, he was one of 25 Centennial Honorees selected by the Academy's Centennial Celebration Commission for contributions to science, education, and the Academy.
In Brookline, MA, 12 June 1937, Richard Goldthwait married Katherine Burnham, who survives along with his brother Lawrence and family of New London, NH; daughters Jane Goldthwait, Burnsville, NC; Susan (Goldthwait) Carlson, Denver, CO; Betsy (Goldthwait) Atkinson, Cedarville, OH; son
Thomas, Concord, NH; and seven grandchildren. He attended the United Presbyterian Church, Worthington, OH; the Roser Memorial Community Church, south of Tampa, FL; and the Wolfeboro Center Community Church, Wolfeboro, NH.
This obituary represents a combined account largely drawn from the following published sources of Dr. Goldthwait's life and career by Michael C. Hansen (Ohio Geology [a quarterly publication of the Division of Geological Survey] Summer 1992, p. 7); Sidney E. White (Arctic and Alpine Research 25: 71-73); and Kenneth C. Jezek (Ice: News Bulletin of the International Glaciological Society, No. 101, pp. 30-31).
A memorial service was held 30 October 1992 for Richard P. Goldthwait at the Fawcett Center, The Ohio State University. Those who spoke were Garry D. McKenzie, organizer; David H. Elliot, Kaye R. Everett, David M. Mickelson, Jane L. Forsyth, and Lynn Edward Elfner, followed by a reception
for family and friends in the Goldthwait Polar Library. Memorial contributions may be made to the Byrd Polar Research Center through the Development Fund of The Ohio State University, Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43210. ~RONALD L. STUCKEY
Richard Parker Goldthwait, age 81, died 7 July 1992, in Huggins Hospital, Wolfeboro, NH, following a massive cerebral hemorrhage the previous day. He was with his brother on a field trip collecting water samples in Lake Wentworth, near his native and summer home of Wolfeboro.
An internationally respected glacial geologist, Goldthwait studied the characteristics, movements, and deposits of glaciers in Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland, New Zealand, and New Hampshire. Because of his investigations on the glacial geology of Ohio since 1947, Goldthwait became one of
the state's most respected and foremost geologists, having become known for his "Glacial Map of Ohio," co-authored with his colleague, George W. White, and his student, Jane L. Forsyth, and published by the United States Geological Survey (1961, revised 1967). Dr. Goldthwait was president of
The Ohio Academy of Science (1958-1959), and his presidential address, "Scenes in Ohio during the last Ice Age," was published in The Ohio Journal of Science (1959). This paper is still one of the most useful summaries of the Wisconsinan glaciation in Ohio.
Born 6 June 1911, in Hanover, NH, Richard Goldthwait was the older of two sons of James Walter and Edith Dunnel (Richards) Goldthwait. His father, a graduate of Harvard University (A.B. 1902, M.A. 1903, Ph.D. 1906), was a well-known glacial geologist, who came to Dartmouth College (1908) and was elected Hall Professor of Geology (1911). James Goldthwait taught courses in general and glacial geology and conducted field surveys of the geology of the state for more than 36 years. Richard and his younger brother, Lawrence (b.1914), both received early training in geology from their father during summer field expeditions. Both young men took their bachelor's degrees from Dartmouth College and continued on to graduate
study in geology, specializing in glacial geology, with both eventually becoming professors of geology at The Ohio State University and the University of Maine, respectively.
Richard Goldthwait graduated from Hanover High School (1928) and Deerfield Academy (1929). In college he majored in geology at Dartmouth College (A.B. cum laucle, 1933) and Harvard University (M.S. 1937, Ph.D. 1939). His doctoral dissertation concerned the sequence of local cirque
glaciation versus overriding continental ice on Mount Washington, NH. He remained at Dartmouth College as an Instructor in Geology (1934-1935), before doing graduate work at Harvard University while a teaching assistant there (1935-1939). Following the PhD., Dr. Goldthwait was Assistant Professor of Geology at Brown University (1939-1943), Technical Consultant in the United States Army Air Force (1943-1944) in Wisconsin, and then came to Ohio as a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAAF assigned as Materials Engineer at Wright Field, Dayton (1944-1946). In 1946, the late George W. White, geologist with the State Survey, recruited Dr. Goldthwait for the faculty in the Department of Geology and Mineralogy at The Ohio State University, where the latter remained until retirement from teaching (1977). He began as associate professor of geology (1946), was promoted to professor (1948), and became professor emeritus (1977). Concurrently, Dr. Goldthwait founded and was the first director of the Institute of Polar Studies
(now Byrd Polar Research Center) (1960-1965), served as chairman of the Department of Geology and Mineralogy (1965-1969), and as Acting Dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (1972).
Dr. Goldthwait's early research in glacial geology took him to many distant places. He estimated the relative age of the Damariscotta Indian shell heaps on the coast of Maine, mapped the glacial deposits of southwestern Cape Cod, joined an expedition to northeast Tibet, and joined another
expedition, as one of two U.S. geologists, to study the histoiy of the Barnes Ice Cap on Baffin Island. Intrigued by the great glaciers of Alaska, he helped to make the first seismic survey of ice thickness, conducted on Crillon Glacier in 1934. Dr. Goldthwait was the geologist with the Reynolds-Boston Museum expedition to China in 1948. During 1953-1956, he studied the ice cap north of Thule in Greenland. While there and attempting to record
continuous movement of the ice-cliff front, he "invented" the cryokinegraph, an instrument similar to a water-level recorder. Dr. Goldthwait conducted glaciological studies while a Fulbright research scholar in New Zealand (1957). He launched a research program to chart the glacial chronology in Glacier Bay, AK, using the succession of climates and organisms occurring in the wake of present-day retreating glaciers to interpret, in similar fashion, the succession of climates and organisms occurring following the glaciers' retreat during the Wisconsinian ice age. (1958). Dr. Goldthwait published over 100 professional papers and was the writer/editor of five books, including a revision of a book on the geology of New Flampshire, originally
written by his father.
A veteran of numerous expeditions to the world's cold regions, Dr. Goldthwait began organizing, during the 1950s, a group of research scientists interested in the geology, glaciology, botany, and paleontology of the Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. Formal designation of an Institute of Polar Studies on the OSU campus came in 1960, and Goldthwait served as its first director during the first five years of its existence. During austral summers on the Antarctic Continent, he directed teams of international scientists, his OSU colleagues, and graduate students in studies on the glacial geology, stratigraphy, vertebrate and plant fossils, and vegetation, especially the lichens. The Institute of Polar Studies continued under strong leadership and
became one of the world's leading centers for polar research. Because the Institute obtained the extremely valuable collection of Richard F'. Byrd's memorabilia from his polar expeditions, the name of the Institute was changed to the Byrd Polar Research Center (1986), to commemorate this gift and name. The Center's Library, named the Goldthwait Polar Library (1976), that houses Richard Goldthwait's many geology and polar books, was
rededicated when the collection moved to Scott Hall (May 1992). The Library serves as a continuing reminder of Prof. Goldthwait's legacy to polar research and the many students that participated in his programs.
Soon after arriving at The Ohio State University, Dr. Goldthwait began investigating the glacial geology of Ohio, a subject that would occupy his talents until his death. The portions on glacial geology in the bulletins on the water resources of Montgomery and Greene counties were authored
by him (1948, 1950). In 1950, he began the first of six summers in the field for the Division of Geological Survey and began to publish the first of more than 30 papers on the glacial geology of the state. Dr. Goldthwait was among the first to use l4C-dating to unravel the time stratigraphy of glacial deposits. Numerous graduate students wrote theses and dissertations on Ohio glacial geology under his guidance. Dr. Goldthwait's final and perhaps most significant contribution to the glacial geology of Ohio, is a revised map of the glacial deposits of the state, compilation of which occupied much of Dr. Goldthwait's time during his retirement years. This map, to be published by the Ohio Division of Geological Survey, will replace the present Glacial Map of Ohio (U.S. Geol. Surv. 1961, rev. 1967).
Richard Goldthwait held memberships in many professional societies. In addition to being president of The Ohio Academy of Science, he served as president of a section of the Geological Society of America (1971), and Governor of the Arctic Institute of North America (1960-1966). He was elected a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Ohio Academy of Science, the Geological Society of America, and the Arctic
Institute of North America; and was also a member of the American Geophysical Union (1956-1975), American Institute of Professional Geologists (1964-1977), American Polar Society (1950-1992), American Meteorological Society (1939-1950), Alaska Earthquake Commission of the National
Academy of Science (1964-1974), International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), and International Glaciological Society (1947-1992).
Numerous honors have been bestowed on Prof. Goldthwait. While an undergraduate, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa (1933), and was a Rufus Choate Scholar during his senior year. He was elected to Sigma Xi (1948) and served as president of The Ohio State University Chapter (1958-1959)
and a member of its Board of Trustees (1985-1989). Dr. Goldthwait was voted one of the ten outstanding men by the Columbus Dispatch (1962); was "National Lecturer" on Alaskan glaciers for Sigma Xi (1964); received the United States Antarctica Service Medal given by the United States Congress
(1968); the Outstanding Quaternary Scientist Award (1981) and the first Distinguished Career Award (1986), both from the Geological Society of America; elected one of 12 Honorarily Members of the International Glaciology Society (1983); received the Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University (1981); chosen the Paul C. Daniels Memorial Lecturer of the Antarctica Society (1984); and was given a "Token of Esteem" at the 50th Annual Reunion of the Friends of the Pleistocene. Mt. Goldthwait in Antarctica was named in his honor by the United States Board on Geographic
Names (1969). Dr. Goldthwait was the recipient of the Mather Medal for his lifelong contributions to the knowledge of the geology of Ohio, formally recognized by the Ohio Division of the Geological Survey (1989). As a member of The Ohio Academy of Science, Dr. Goldthwait joined (1947), was elected a Fellow (1949), served as vice-president of Section
C. Geology (1952-1953), elected president (1958-1959), participated in the visiting scientist program (1961), and served as chairman of the Government Advisory Committee (1962-1976). It was during his tenure as president that the Academy received the first of several grants from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation toward the establishment of a permanent central office. The acquisition of those grants under Goldthwait's leadership not only changed the Ohio Academy, but also had a profound effect on the entire state academy movement in the United States. Dr. Goldthwait's leadership and personal gifts enabled the Academy to establish The Kirtley F. Mather Memorial Fund in the Geology Section to assist in defraying page charges for papers
published in The Ohio Journal of Science. In 1991, he was one of 25 Centennial Honorees selected by the Academy's Centennial Celebration Commission for contributions to science, education, and the Academy.
In Brookline, MA, 12 June 1937, Richard Goldthwait married Katherine Burnham, who survives along with his brother Lawrence and family of New London, NH; daughters Jane Goldthwait, Burnsville, NC; Susan (Goldthwait) Carlson, Denver, CO; Betsy (Goldthwait) Atkinson, Cedarville, OH; son
Thomas, Concord, NH; and seven grandchildren. He attended the United Presbyterian Church, Worthington, OH; the Roser Memorial Community Church, south of Tampa, FL; and the Wolfeboro Center Community Church, Wolfeboro, NH.
This obituary represents a combined account largely drawn from the following published sources of Dr. Goldthwait's life and career by Michael C. Hansen (Ohio Geology [a quarterly publication of the Division of Geological Survey] Summer 1992, p. 7); Sidney E. White (Arctic and Alpine Research 25: 71-73); and Kenneth C. Jezek (Ice: News Bulletin of the International Glaciological Society, No. 101, pp. 30-31).
A memorial service was held 30 October 1992 for Richard P. Goldthwait at the Fawcett Center, The Ohio State University. Those who spoke were Garry D. McKenzie, organizer; David H. Elliot, Kaye R. Everett, David M. Mickelson, Jane L. Forsyth, and Lynn Edward Elfner, followed by a reception
for family and friends in the Goldthwait Polar Library. Memorial contributions may be made to the Byrd Polar Research Center through the Development Fund of The Ohio State University, Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43210. ~RONALD L. STUCKEY
An internationally respected glacial geologist, Goldthwait studied the characteristics, movements, and deposits of glaciers in Alaska, Antarctica, Greenland, New Zealand, and New Hampshire. Because of his investigations on the glacial geology of Ohio since 1947, Goldthwait became one of
the state's most respected and foremost geologists, having become known for his "Glacial Map of Ohio," co-authored with his colleague, George W. White, and his student, Jane L. Forsyth, and published by the United States Geological Survey (1961, revised 1967). Dr. Goldthwait was president of
The Ohio Academy of Science (1958-1959), and his presidential address, "Scenes in Ohio during the last Ice Age," was published in The Ohio Journal of Science (1959). This paper is still one of the most useful summaries of the Wisconsinan glaciation in Ohio.
Born 6 June 1911, in Hanover, NH, Richard Goldthwait was the older of two sons of James Walter and Edith Dunnel (Richards) Goldthwait. His father, a graduate of Harvard University (A.B. 1902, M.A. 1903, Ph.D. 1906), was a well-known glacial geologist, who came to Dartmouth College (1908) and was elected Hall Professor of Geology (1911). James Goldthwait taught courses in general and glacial geology and conducted field surveys of the geology of the state for more than 36 years. Richard and his younger brother, Lawrence (b.1914), both received early training in geology from their father during summer field expeditions. Both young men took their bachelor's degrees from Dartmouth College and continued on to graduate
study in geology, specializing in glacial geology, with both eventually becoming professors of geology at The Ohio State University and the University of Maine, respectively.
Richard Goldthwait graduated from Hanover High School (1928) and Deerfield Academy (1929). In college he majored in geology at Dartmouth College (A.B. cum laucle, 1933) and Harvard University (M.S. 1937, Ph.D. 1939). His doctoral dissertation concerned the sequence of local cirque
glaciation versus overriding continental ice on Mount Washington, NH. He remained at Dartmouth College as an Instructor in Geology (1934-1935), before doing graduate work at Harvard University while a teaching assistant there (1935-1939). Following the PhD., Dr. Goldthwait was Assistant Professor of Geology at Brown University (1939-1943), Technical Consultant in the United States Army Air Force (1943-1944) in Wisconsin, and then came to Ohio as a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAAF assigned as Materials Engineer at Wright Field, Dayton (1944-1946). In 1946, the late George W. White, geologist with the State Survey, recruited Dr. Goldthwait for the faculty in the Department of Geology and Mineralogy at The Ohio State University, where the latter remained until retirement from teaching (1977). He began as associate professor of geology (1946), was promoted to professor (1948), and became professor emeritus (1977). Concurrently, Dr. Goldthwait founded and was the first director of the Institute of Polar Studies
(now Byrd Polar Research Center) (1960-1965), served as chairman of the Department of Geology and Mineralogy (1965-1969), and as Acting Dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (1972).
Dr. Goldthwait's early research in glacial geology took him to many distant places. He estimated the relative age of the Damariscotta Indian shell heaps on the coast of Maine, mapped the glacial deposits of southwestern Cape Cod, joined an expedition to northeast Tibet, and joined another
expedition, as one of two U.S. geologists, to study the histoiy of the Barnes Ice Cap on Baffin Island. Intrigued by the great glaciers of Alaska, he helped to make the first seismic survey of ice thickness, conducted on Crillon Glacier in 1934. Dr. Goldthwait was the geologist with the Reynolds-Boston Museum expedition to China in 1948. During 1953-1956, he studied the ice cap north of Thule in Greenland. While there and attempting to record
continuous movement of the ice-cliff front, he "invented" the cryokinegraph, an instrument similar to a water-level recorder. Dr. Goldthwait conducted glaciological studies while a Fulbright research scholar in New Zealand (1957). He launched a research program to chart the glacial chronology in Glacier Bay, AK, using the succession of climates and organisms occurring in the wake of present-day retreating glaciers to interpret, in similar fashion, the succession of climates and organisms occurring following the glaciers' retreat during the Wisconsinian ice age. (1958). Dr. Goldthwait published over 100 professional papers and was the writer/editor of five books, including a revision of a book on the geology of New Flampshire, originally
written by his father.
A veteran of numerous expeditions to the world's cold regions, Dr. Goldthwait began organizing, during the 1950s, a group of research scientists interested in the geology, glaciology, botany, and paleontology of the Antarctic and Arctic polar regions. Formal designation of an Institute of Polar Studies on the OSU campus came in 1960, and Goldthwait served as its first director during the first five years of its existence. During austral summers on the Antarctic Continent, he directed teams of international scientists, his OSU colleagues, and graduate students in studies on the glacial geology, stratigraphy, vertebrate and plant fossils, and vegetation, especially the lichens. The Institute of Polar Studies continued under strong leadership and
became one of the world's leading centers for polar research. Because the Institute obtained the extremely valuable collection of Richard F'. Byrd's memorabilia from his polar expeditions, the name of the Institute was changed to the Byrd Polar Research Center (1986), to commemorate this gift and name. The Center's Library, named the Goldthwait Polar Library (1976), that houses Richard Goldthwait's many geology and polar books, was
rededicated when the collection moved to Scott Hall (May 1992). The Library serves as a continuing reminder of Prof. Goldthwait's legacy to polar research and the many students that participated in his programs.
Soon after arriving at The Ohio State University, Dr. Goldthwait began investigating the glacial geology of Ohio, a subject that would occupy his talents until his death. The portions on glacial geology in the bulletins on the water resources of Montgomery and Greene counties were authored
by him (1948, 1950). In 1950, he began the first of six summers in the field for the Division of Geological Survey and began to publish the first of more than 30 papers on the glacial geology of the state. Dr. Goldthwait was among the first to use l4C-dating to unravel the time stratigraphy of glacial deposits. Numerous graduate students wrote theses and dissertations on Ohio glacial geology under his guidance. Dr. Goldthwait's final and perhaps most significant contribution to the glacial geology of Ohio, is a revised map of the glacial deposits of the state, compilation of which occupied much of Dr. Goldthwait's time during his retirement years. This map, to be published by the Ohio Division of Geological Survey, will replace the present Glacial Map of Ohio (U.S. Geol. Surv. 1961, rev. 1967).
Richard Goldthwait held memberships in many professional societies. In addition to being president of The Ohio Academy of Science, he served as president of a section of the Geological Society of America (1971), and Governor of the Arctic Institute of North America (1960-1966). He was elected a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, The Ohio Academy of Science, the Geological Society of America, and the Arctic
Institute of North America; and was also a member of the American Geophysical Union (1956-1975), American Institute of Professional Geologists (1964-1977), American Polar Society (1950-1992), American Meteorological Society (1939-1950), Alaska Earthquake Commission of the National
Academy of Science (1964-1974), International Geophysical Year (1957-1958), and International Glaciological Society (1947-1992).
Numerous honors have been bestowed on Prof. Goldthwait. While an undergraduate, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa (1933), and was a Rufus Choate Scholar during his senior year. He was elected to Sigma Xi (1948) and served as president of The Ohio State University Chapter (1958-1959)
and a member of its Board of Trustees (1985-1989). Dr. Goldthwait was voted one of the ten outstanding men by the Columbus Dispatch (1962); was "National Lecturer" on Alaskan glaciers for Sigma Xi (1964); received the United States Antarctica Service Medal given by the United States Congress
(1968); the Outstanding Quaternary Scientist Award (1981) and the first Distinguished Career Award (1986), both from the Geological Society of America; elected one of 12 Honorarily Members of the International Glaciology Society (1983); received the Distinguished Service Award from The Ohio State University (1981); chosen the Paul C. Daniels Memorial Lecturer of the Antarctica Society (1984); and was given a "Token of Esteem" at the 50th Annual Reunion of the Friends of the Pleistocene. Mt. Goldthwait in Antarctica was named in his honor by the United States Board on Geographic
Names (1969). Dr. Goldthwait was the recipient of the Mather Medal for his lifelong contributions to the knowledge of the geology of Ohio, formally recognized by the Ohio Division of the Geological Survey (1989). As a member of The Ohio Academy of Science, Dr. Goldthwait joined (1947), was elected a Fellow (1949), served as vice-president of Section
C. Geology (1952-1953), elected president (1958-1959), participated in the visiting scientist program (1961), and served as chairman of the Government Advisory Committee (1962-1976). It was during his tenure as president that the Academy received the first of several grants from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation toward the establishment of a permanent central office. The acquisition of those grants under Goldthwait's leadership not only changed the Ohio Academy, but also had a profound effect on the entire state academy movement in the United States. Dr. Goldthwait's leadership and personal gifts enabled the Academy to establish The Kirtley F. Mather Memorial Fund in the Geology Section to assist in defraying page charges for papers
published in The Ohio Journal of Science. In 1991, he was one of 25 Centennial Honorees selected by the Academy's Centennial Celebration Commission for contributions to science, education, and the Academy.
In Brookline, MA, 12 June 1937, Richard Goldthwait married Katherine Burnham, who survives along with his brother Lawrence and family of New London, NH; daughters Jane Goldthwait, Burnsville, NC; Susan (Goldthwait) Carlson, Denver, CO; Betsy (Goldthwait) Atkinson, Cedarville, OH; son
Thomas, Concord, NH; and seven grandchildren. He attended the United Presbyterian Church, Worthington, OH; the Roser Memorial Community Church, south of Tampa, FL; and the Wolfeboro Center Community Church, Wolfeboro, NH.
This obituary represents a combined account largely drawn from the following published sources of Dr. Goldthwait's life and career by Michael C. Hansen (Ohio Geology [a quarterly publication of the Division of Geological Survey] Summer 1992, p. 7); Sidney E. White (Arctic and Alpine Research 25: 71-73); and Kenneth C. Jezek (Ice: News Bulletin of the International Glaciological Society, No. 101, pp. 30-31).
A memorial service was held 30 October 1992 for Richard P. Goldthwait at the Fawcett Center, The Ohio State University. Those who spoke were Garry D. McKenzie, organizer; David H. Elliot, Kaye R. Everett, David M. Mickelson, Jane L. Forsyth, and Lynn Edward Elfner, followed by a reception
for family and friends in the Goldthwait Polar Library. Memorial contributions may be made to the Byrd Polar Research Center through the Development Fund of The Ohio State University, Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43210. ~RONALD L. STUCKEY
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