Death of Jack Stewart

Dear friends of NBMG,

We are sad to pass on this news of the death of Jack Stewart.

“Nevada geology lost a legend in Jack Stewart.  Jack’s contributions are countless and span the entire state and region.  These contributions will live on for many generations.  Not only was Jack a premier scientist, but he was also a good friend to many and always willing to openly contribute thoughts and observations from his many decades of research in Nevada.”

–Forwarded from Jim Faulds, NBMG Director and State Geologist

“Jack Stewart, an honorary lifetime GSN member, passed away 2 weeks ago at age 84. Jack was one of the giants of Great Basin geology. I’m sure many GSN members knew him and many more know of his monumental studies of the geologic framework of Nevada, which included the 1978 Nevada state geologic map and the 1980 companion book, Geology of Nevada, both published by the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology. Jack also was a co-author of the NBMG reports on the geology and mineral resources of Esmeralda and Lander counties and made major contributions in understanding Paleozoic stratigraphy, Basin and Range tectonics, and the Walker Lane, to name but a few. Jack introduced me to the geology of Nevada more than 30 years ago and his insights will be sorely missed. I’m sure a more detailed obituary written by colleagues at the USGS and highlighting his geologic accomplishments is forthcoming, but in the interim here is an obituary published yesterday in the San Jose Mercury News.”

–Forwarded with news story below to Geological Society of Nevada from David John, Research Geologist at USGS in Menlo Park and GSN member

John (Jack) Stewart (1928 – 2013)

(from the San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on March 14, 2013)

John (Jack) Stewart August 7, 1928–March 1, 2013

Resident of Menlo Park John Harris Stewart (Jack) passed away on March 1, 2013. Jack was born on August 7, 1928 in Berkeley, California to George and Theodosia Stewart. The family, including his older sister Jill, travelled extensively as Jack’s father, a noted author, conducted research for numerous books. Jack graduated from Berkeley High School in 1946, then studied at the University of New Mexico, obtaining a degree in geology in 1950, with minors in math and anthropology. In 1951 Jack began his 62 year career with the US Geological Survey. Jack obtained a doctorate in geology from Stanford in 1961. In 1962 Jack married Sally Dwight and they had two children, Ed in 1964 and William in 1966. The family spent many enjoyable summers in Nevada where Jack performed extensive field work.

Jack was the preeminent authority on the geology of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau regions of Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona. His work in Nevada led to the preparation of the first comprehensive geologic map of Nevada. Jack’s findings had significant impact on strategies in the search for, and identification of, new mineral resources. For his outstanding achievements and extensive contributions to knowledge regarding the geology of western North America, he was granted the Distinguished Service Award by the Department of the Interior in 1994. Jack was respected by colleagues for his dedication to his profession. He was a scientist at heart, who loved to walk, and study the environment.

In 1990 Jack married Joyce Colbath, and they spent 22 years together, hiking and exploring throughout the world. Jack is survived by his wife Joyce Stewart, sister Jill Evenson, sons Ed (Tracy) and William, his stepchildren Mary McCurdy (Kevin), John Plungy (Cheri), Elizabeth Ramaley (Lee), Mark Plungy (Lisa), his grandchildren Samuel and Teddie Stewart, and his step-grandchildren Emilie Plungy, Helen and Brigid McCurdy, Clare, Stephen and Madeline Ramaley, and Julia and Matthew Plungy. Jack is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. In his memory, Jack’s family appreciates donations to the Truckee-Donner Land Trust.

Story and photo of Jack Stewart:

http://www.nbmg.unr.edu/_docs/Jack_Stewart.pdf

Jack Stewart was author of the following Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology publications, plus many other maps and reports published by the U.S. Geological Survey, many in cooperation with NBMG. Click here for a more complete list of publications.

Bulletin 65: Precambrian and Lower Cambrian rocks, by J.H. Stewart; in Mineral and water resources of Nevada: Cornwall (1964) 

Bulletin 78: Geology and mineral deposits of Esmeralda County, Nevada: Albers and Stewart (1972)

Bulletin 88: Geology and mineral deposits of Lander County, Nevada: Stewart, McKee, and Stager (1977) 

Map 50: Geologic map of north-central Nevada: Stewart and Carlson (1976) 1:250,000

Map 52: Cenozoic rocks of Nevada–four maps and brief description of distribution, lithology, age, and centers of volcanism: Stewart and Carlson (1976), 1:1,000,000

Map 57: Million-scale geologic map of Nevada: Stewart and Carlson (1977) 1:1,000,000

Map 118: Geologic map of the Carson City 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, Nevada: Stewart (1999) 1:100,000

Open-File Report 02-4: Evidence of a hidden hydrothermal system: The North Valley hydrothermal explosion craters, western Nevada, USA, by Stewart and Roddy

Special Publication 4: Geology of Nevada: a discussion to accompany the Geologic map of Nevada (USGS): Stewart (1980)

Geologic map of Nevada, compiled by John H. Stewart and John E. Carlson, prepared by U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (1978) 1:500,000