WAML Past President Richard Spohn has died at 63.

Rich Spohn, who was president of WAML, has died. Rich was at the University of Cincinnati for many years. Angela Gooden of UC said of him "Rich had a big heart and enjoyed sharing his love for all things related to geoscience with anyone."

Long-time WAML member Barbara Haner writes of Rich:

Perhaps it is the WAML meeting in Spring 1996 which I have great memories of. It was held at Humbolt State and Rich was truly delighted about this as he was fanatically about visiting counties and there were a few in that area he had not visited. One was out of Castle Crags and as I was driving I decided we would turn off and attempt to make that county. The road became a track and we eventually ended up in snow and our car tracks were some of the first for that year. I finally found somewhere where we could turn round safely, but by that time we were looking down on Castle Crags and they looked very small. I think we got to within half a mile so Rich never did make that county.

I remember his boundless energy and the many friends that he had everywhere. He always kept in contact with his student assistants and must have been a great person to work for.

This email was posted on April 22, 2008, by Rich's brother Ron.

I'm sorry if this email is the first time that you are hearing this news. I have been trying to contact as many people as I can personally. Richard had a great many people he considered very good friends.

Last Friday, April 18, Richard Spohn passed away in his sleep. He was 63 years old. This came as a complete shock to all of us, as Richard had been apparently healthy until then. At this time we are still awaiting the results of the autopsy to find out what caused it.

His family, Florence his mother, Ronald his brother and Nancy his sister-in-law are holding a viewing and prayer service on April 23 at Family Funeral Care in Hunters Creek, Florida. We know that all of Richard's friends are located across the country and most would not be able to attend this service. If you would like a remembrance from this service please reply to this email with a mailing address and we will send you one. We will be honoring Richard's wish to have his ashes scattered by Jenny Lake at the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial gift to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation in Richard's name. You can do this on-line by credit card or print a mailing form at:
http://www.gtnpf.org/join.php

If you wish to contact the family:
Florence's phone number is 407-854-1071
Ron and Nancy's phone number is 407-855-4768
You may mail cards to anyone to:
13106 Meergate Circle
Orlando, Fl 32837

Please pass this email to anyone that you know that may have known Richard. I apologize if you receive this email more than once; I simply emailed Richard's address book.

Thank you,

Ron and Nancy Spohn
Email: rlsorlfl@ao.net