Jerome Remick - Geology

Geology

Jerry obtained his B.Sc. degree in geology from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology (which later became the Michigan Technological University), Houghton, Michigan, in 1951, and his M.Sc. degree in geology from the same college in 1952. Graduate studies in geology and mineralogy were carried out at the University of Minnesota (1952–1953) and at the University of Michigan (1953–1957). During this time he became a member of the Michigan Chapter of the Gamma Alpha Graduate Scientific Fraternity. His first geological field work was with the Québec Department of Mines (now the Ministère des Ressources naturelles) beginning in the summer of 1952.

By 1955 Jerry was chief of his own field parties in Québec. Eventually, he accepted a permanent position with the department in May 1957. For the next 20 years he carried out field work, first doing regional geological mapping southwest of the town of Chibougamau, and later carrying out reconnaissance mapping using large helicopter-supported field parties in the James Bay area of northwestern Québec. Remick also spent many summers in northern Québec surveying the lands.

The passion for coins and medals led Remick to encourage the development of medals in recognition of excellence within the GAC. He supported the design and adoption of the Volcanology and Igneous Petrology Division’s Career Achievement Award and the Leopold Gelinas Medal. Remick actually paid for the dies and the first striking of medals. He would later be consulted on the design of the GAC Ward Neale Medal. Once again, he would also pay for its die and first run. Ward Neale was a long-time friend and fellow GAC stalwart. Jerry was honoured and delighted to be associated with the development of a medal for the public awareness of geoscience that honoured his friend.

Jerry hung up his field boots in 1977 and became an information geologist in Direction de l’assistance à l’exploration minière of the Ministère. His role was that of providing geoscience data. Remick helped to develop a consulting room where all the information holdings of the Ministère were available for viewing.

In 1994, he created the Jerome H. Remick III Endowment Trust Fund for the Canadian Geological Foundation. According to the foundation, he donated nearly $500,000 to this fund. The purpose of the fund is to award grants, from revenues earned by the Endowment Trust Fund. The focus was for projects that furthered the development of the geosciences in Canada and promote an awareness about the role of the geosciences in Canadian society.

Although he retired in 1995, his legacy was such that in 1998 the Québec Section of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum awarded its Section Medal to Jerry for his role in facilitating easier communications between members of the mining industry and the research community.