alumni reception - Syracuse Universe Department of Earth Sciences ...

In Memoriam
John F. Heaney
John F. Heaney, 81, died Sunday, August 22,
at Crouse Hospital. He was a life resident of Syracuse.
He retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier
from the Colvin St. Station. He was a parishioner
of St. Andrew the Apostle until its closing in 2006. He
was predeceased by his wife, Rosemary, in 2002 and
his brother, James, Heaney Jr. in 1998. He is survived
by his sisters, Joyce Heaney and Blanche Mosher of
Phoenix, NY, and Jane Carr of Liverpool, NY, and
his brother, Thomas, of Syracuse. He is also survived
by his sister-in-law, Julie Sharpe of Skaneateles, and
several nieces, nephews and friends.
John’s trademark was his compassion and generosity.
John was a generous donor to the Department
of Earth Sciences, and his presence will be sorely
missed. (from the Syracuse Post Standard, August 25,
2010)
Samuel Thomas Pees
Samuel Thomas Pees, 83, of Meadville, PA,
respected geologist, oil field historian, writer and lecturer,
died Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, at Meadville Medical
Center.
Born Nov. 16, 1926, in Meadville, Sam Pees
was the son of Henry Chester and Dorothy M. Cook
Pees. A 1944 graduate of Meadville High School, Sam
graduated in 1950 from Allegheny College with a
bachelor of science in geology and in 1959 from Syracuse
University with a master of science in geology.
He also attended Colorado College, Colorado Springs,
Colo., and the University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Okla.
He served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines
and South Korea during World War II. After the
war in 1948, he worked in the Cape Yakataga area of
Alaska with the U.S. Geological Survey. Beginning
in 1953, Sam worked as a petroleum geologist for
leading petroleum and oil companies, traveling extensively
to South America, including Venezuela, Peru
and Argentina; southeast Asia, including Indonesia;
Australia; and the South Pacific. In 1978, Sam opened
an oil and gas consulting company (Samuel T. Pees &
Associates) in Meadville, which specialized in deep
gas exploration in the northern Appalachian Basin. He
retired in 1998.
Sam Pees was a prolific writer of geological
and historical papers, which were published in numerous
journals, including the Petroleum History Institute
Journal, the American Association of Petroleum
Geologists Bulletin, and Pennsylvania Geology. He
also contributed numerous ideas, research and text
for bronze historical markers placed by the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC)
commemorating significant individuals, events and
landmarks in northwestern Pennsylvania. Sam enjoyed
exploring the Oil Creek valley, where he documented
and photographed the artifacts of the early oil industry
that thrived around Titusville and Oil City. He served
as president of the Drake Well Foundation for several
years.
Sam Pees also shared his knowledge, insights
and findings through lectures. He was an engaging
speaker and educator, thanks to his passionate interest
in his subject. He was a member of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and
received its highest honors. In 1987 and 1996, he was
awarded the AAPG George V. Cohee Public Service
Award, which recognizes distinguished service and
achievement. In 2000, he received the AAPG John
T. Galey Memorial Award. In 2003, Sam Pees was
recognized for lifetime achievement in the oil and gas
industry with the Col. Edwin L. Drake Oilman award
from the Petroleum History Institute. In addition,
Pees was a Senior Fellow of the Geological Society of
America and a trustee of the Paleontological Research
Institute. He compiled an extensive international art
collection. Portions of his collection have been exhibited
in many institutions. Parts of his collection
have been donated to Syracuse University, Allegheny
College and other organizations. (from the Meadeville
Tribune, Dec. ‘09)
The Department of Earth Sciences wishes to
pass along our condolences and best wishes to the
family and friends of these important members of our
extended academic family.