PENROSE MEDAL LECTURE: ERIC J. ESSENE (1939 – 2010)

Eric was surprised and humbled to learn of receiving the Penrose Medal. Details of his distinguished career are summarized elsewhere, including his seminal contributions in mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry. Eric set the standard for careful evaluation of the complex thermal, fluid flow and uplift history of ancient orogenic belts. He advised over 100 graduate students and was a lifelong friend for most of us. Many in the geoscience community consider him the most influential metamorphic geologist of the past 40 years. Although always serious and hard working at science, Eric enjoyed and lived life fully, often displaying his mischievous side with pranks. The following is paraphrased from writing by Eric shortly before his death.

Most of my life I wanted to be a professor. Academically I benefited primarily through my parents’ efforts to educate me in aspects of science and humanities and current thought in those fields broadly defined. My father taught cultural anthropology at the University of Kentucky and was at home in a wide array of topics in unrelated fields. My mother introduced me to an appreciation of the fine arts and their role in life.

As an undergraduate at MIT and graduate student at UC-Berkeley (with Bill Fyfe) I gained the level of education necessary to be successful as a professor. Even as a graduate student I was already interested in directing the theses of some of my fellow graduate students. I was fortunate enough to have this opportunity in exploring informal interactions at Berkeley, with fellow post-docs at Cambridge, England, then at ANU. By the time I arrived at the University of Michigan in 1970, I had projects in my mind that were later explored with my students.

One important factor of my development as a scientist was to not repeat that which was already done once. This exposed and strengthened our accumulated knowledge, and led to success for both the students and our own ongoing program. We were always pushing the limits of funding beyond that which was available. Intellectual and social intersections formed strong friendships with students and faculty alike during field trips and seminars. I’ve had a great ride in learning from those who taught me how to think in terms of projects that would otherwise have not been explored. I am forever grateful for that opportunity.