HELEN TAPPAN: SUCCESS IN PALEONTOLOGY THROUGH DEDICATION, ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS, AND HARD WORK

Helen Tappan (1917-2004) and Alfred R. Loeblich, Jr., (1914-1994) are surely among the greatest micropaleontologists of all time. Their names will stand along with those of the founders of modern micropaleontology: Christian G. Ehrenberg (1795-1876, Germany), Alcide d’Orbingy (1802=1857; France), Henry B. Brady (1835-1891, England), and Joseph A. Cushman (1881-1949, United States). These were great men whose work Loeblich and Tappan admired and built upon. While the others were explorers in the systematics and biostratigraphy of microfossils, foraminifera in particular, Al and Helen were synthesizers as well as systematists par excellence.

Their scientific relationship, cemented by marriage in 1939, was a synergistic one in which the final outcome was greater than their sum separately could ever been. Energy radiated between them as they worked side by side on their dining room table, Al commonly looking down the microscope and Helen writing notes and text, while the kids played under foot. In the field, they were overwhelming with Al collecting very large sacks full of rocks and Helen writing notes and plotting localities.

After both graduated with PhDs from Chicago, Al was hired at Tulane University. He was soon called up in WWII and Helen took his place teaching paleontology. Upon returning home, Al got a job at the National Museum of Natural Sciences and Helen worked for the USGS. Al moved to Chevron Research Corporation, so Helen went to UCLA and accepted temporary appointments to teach micropaleontology annually. Helen endured discrimination of one kind or another, but essentially ignored that in order to do paleontology. With her success in obtaining students, grants, publications, and worldwide reputation, the department hired her as a full Professor. Helen’s students were also Al’s students and they thought this was their greatest contribution.

Helen Tappan broke through in micropaleontology at UCLA through a large volume of papers and books. What made them leaders? It wasn’t passion—anyone can have that. But Helen’s intense interest in paleontology, a determination to achieve outstanding results, and creativity and vision of where she wanted to go and then, dedication, organizational skills, and hard work brought her success.