Gordon P. Eaton | |
|---|---|
 Eaton as Director of USGS, 1994–1997 | |
| 12th Director of the United States Geological Survey | |
| In office 1994 (1994) – 1997 (1997) | |
| Preceded by | Dallas Lynn Peck |
| Succeeded by | Charles G. Groat |
| 12th President ofIowa State University | |
| In office 1986–1990 | |
| Preceded by | W. Robert Parks |
| Succeeded by | Martin C. Jischke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1929-03-09)March 9, 1929 Dayton, Ohio,U.S. |
| Died | (2022-07-02)July 2, 2022 (aged 93) Bryan, Texas,U.S. |
| Alma mater | |
| Awards | 2016 Michel T. Halbouty Medal |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology,Geophysics |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | Miocene volcanic activity in the Los Angeles Basin and vicinity (1957) |
| Doctoral advisor | James A Noble |
Gordon Pryor Eaton (March 9, 1929 – July 2, 2022) was an American geologist. Eaton was born inDayton, Ohio.
Dr. Eaton graduated fromWesleyan University, with high Honors, High Distinction andPhi Beta Kappa andSigma Xi recognition, with a B.A. in Geology in 1951; received an M.S. in Geology from theCalifornia Institute of Technology in 1953; and a Ph.D. in Geology andGeophysics in 1957 from theCalifornia Institute of Technology.[1] At Wesleyan he was a member ofDelta Upsilon fraternity.
Dr. Eaton held a number of academic positions. Eaton taught as his alma mater from 1955–1959. From 1959 to 1967, he was an assistant professor, associate professor, and chair of the Department of Geological Sciences atUniversity of California, Riverside. From 1967 to 1981, he held various positions with theU.S. Geological Survey, including Associate Chief Geologist,Reston, Virginia, and scientist-in-charge,Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii. He was successively dean of the College of Geosciences and provost and vice president for academic affairs atTexas A&M University between 1981 and 1986.[2] From 1986 to 1990, Eaton served as the 12th president ofIowa State University.[3] On March 24, 1994, Dr. Gordon P. Eaton became the 12th Director of theU.S. Geological Survey, retiring from the post in 1997.[2]
Dr. Eaton was a member of theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science, theGeological Society of America, and theAmerican Geophysical Union. He was listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the Midwest, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who in Science and Engineering, and American Men and Women of Science. He was a member of committee on the formation of theNational Biological Survey,National Research Council. He also served on the Board on Earth Sciences and Resources and the Ocean Studies Board of theNational Research Council.[4]
Eaton died on July 2, 2022, in Bryan, Texas.[5][2]
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President ofIowa State University 1986–1990 | Succeeded by |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Director of theUnited States Geological Survey 1994–1997 | Succeeded by |
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