DR. ALAN KEHEW - WORLD CLASS GEOLOGIST AND THE SURFICIAL GEOLOGY OF CASS COUNTY, MICHIGAN

Dr. Alan Kehew’s accomplishments as a geologist, researcher, professor, mentor are numerous. But his personal attributes, kindness, quiet strength, patience, consistency, leadership, wisdom, integrity, humbleness, role model, and dry wit were just as important and will be missed by friends, colleagues, students, and the geological community.

Dr. Kehew was an acknowledged expert in Michigan glacial geology, tunnel valleys, and glacial outburst floods. His work on glacial outburst floods and tunnel valleys are frequently referenced in journal articles and glacial geology books. Earlier in his career he focused more on hydrogeology and geochemistry of which he has many published journal articles. He wrote two widely used textbooks “Applied Chemical Hydrogeology” and “Applied Chemical Hydrogeology and Geology for Engineers and Environmental Scientists”, co-edited the GSA Special Paper 53-Quaternary Glaciation of the Great Lakes Region and two novels, “Glen Canyon” and “Invisible Danger”, both of which are in the mystery/thriller genre with a geology theme.

He was a field geologist at heart and stated that the mapping was one of the highlights of his career, mapping the surficial geology of 6 counties in southwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Al Kehew was influential in planning and getting the Michigan Geological Survey transferred to Department of Geosciences at Western Michigan University and served as its initial Director.

The last county that Al did significant field work and mapped in was Cass County, Michigan. Cass County has the thickest glacial deposits in the southern half of the state averaging 310 feet thick and ranging from 115-717 feet thick. It has a complex interlobate area in east-central part of county.

This presentation will be an overview of the geology of Cass County in the format of an ESRI StoryMap. It will also focus on Al Kehew’s important contributions as a world class geologist, person, mentor, and friend. His importance to the Michigan geological community, the citizens of Michigan, and greater geological community are incalculable.