GEOBIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT CHRISTMAN

Bob Christman began his geologic career with an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and went on to complete his PhD at Princeton. His first job was as a geologist with the Mineral Deposits Branch of the U.S. Geological Survey. His first academic appointment was as an Assistant Professor of Mineralogy at Cornell. During this time he spent his summers mapping several quadrangles for the Vermont Geological Survey. In 1960 Bob came to Western Washington State College as Chair of the Department of Geology. This was also the beginning of his long and illustrious association with geoscience education. Since then he has tirelessly contributed to the quality of teaching on a state and national level. His role with two organizations is particularly notable. He has served as President and a long standing board member of the Washington Science Teacher's Association and has been editor of the WSTA journal since 1980. He has also been an officer and editor of the National Association of Science Teachers and has been the Executive Director of this organization since 1991. In recognition of his remarkable service to the profession this NAGT session on Teaching Local Geology is held in Honor of Robert Christman.