Dear Colleagues,

I share with you sad news from the Department of Geosciences.

Dr. Thomas Hooyer, Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences, passed away on May 4, 2016, at the age of 53, following a battle with ALS. Tom spent his career as a Professor of Geology within the University of Wisconsin system, serving in the Wisconsin Geological Survey in Madison, conducting glacial geology research worldwide, and most recently, as an Associate Professor of Geosciences here at UW-Milwaukee.

Tom was raised in the mountains and was a life-long enthusiast of the outdoors. His travels associated with glacial research took him to diverse places throughout the world and he enjoyed leading his students on research trips to Iceland.

Barry Cameron, Chair of Geosciences, shared with me that the Department of Geosciences congregated at the Hubbard Park Lodge Tuesday night for its annual Student Achievement Banquet. At the Banquet, they celebrated the life and contribution that Tom had made to the department and the University. Moreover, the first Hooyer Award was handed out to two graduate students in Geosciences.

Dr. Hoyer’s obituary is online. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, August 6 at 2 p.m. at Crestview Christian Church in Boulder, Colorado.

Our condolences to Dr. Hooyer’s family and to the many others whose lives he touched.

Take care,
Johannes

Johannes Britz
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs