In Memoriam
Over the years, many people have supported our department with their participation and leadership. For those who have passed away, we remember them and celebrate their legacy here. If you have content to submit to this in memoriam section, for example obituaries or memories of those who have passed, please email the webmasters, or send it to us via the keep in touch form on this page. Photos and/or ephemera are also welcome.
For families who are interested in exploring a donation to the University of Regina in memory of a loved one, we invite you to explore the various options for giving.
Professors and Instructors
January 19, 1924 - June 27, 2007
The department of Geology fondly remembers the contributions of Dr. Ralph Cheeseman. Dr. Cheeseman served the department for many years as an adjunct faculty member and taught introductory geology as a sessional instructor.
Dr. Cheeseman was born and educated in England. After serving in the Second World War, Ralph completed his Ph.D. in Geology at Imperial College in London. He brought his family came to Saskatchewan in 1955 to embrace a new challenge in his beloved career as a geologist with the provincial government. He ran the Prospectors School in La Ronge for many years and conducting field camps in northern Saskatchewan, and worked as a consulting geologist and manager of the Saskatchewan Mining Association for 19 years. His 52 year career in geology in Saskatchewan was recognized by many as a significant contribution to the Saskatchewan Mining Industry. He also served on the Senate for College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, at the University of Saskatchewan. His love of geology and mining and contributions are fondly remembered by his peers in the department and more broadly in the geoscience community in Saskatchewan. Source Obituary
1940 - 30 May 2017
Dr. Parslow served the University from July 1969 in the Department of Geology until his retirement in February 1998. An obituary for Dr. Parslow is posted here.
1964 - 26 October 2020
Todd attended the University of Regina from 1996 until 2001, when he earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science. He also served the University of Regina Department of Geology as a Sessional Instructor from 2000 - 2003. Further memories about Todd can be found on the tribute site prepared by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Bristol Bay Campus, where he worked at the time he passed away. We welcome contributions if you have memories of Todd to share from his time at the University of Regina.
August 1, 1944 – April 19, 2021
Paul came to the University of Regina as a sabbatical replacement during the 1974-75 academic year, during which time he taught Introductory Geology, Invertebrate Paleontology and Historical Geology. He did stratigraphy and paleontology fieldwork in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, the NWT, Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Wyoming, and Libya.
A full obituary and space for condolences to Paul’s family are available here.
A write up on Paul’s life is also posted on the SGS website in the Rock Record newsletter (May 2021) is available here.
1944 - 25 Jun 2021
Jim was employed at the University of Regina as a Head Lab Instructor before starting up his geological consulting business and farming the family farm. Throughout his career, he completed over 100 horizontal oil wells, leading the shift in South East Saskatchewan and training others in this technique. A full obituary and space for condolences to Jim’s family are available at the following link.
May 9, 1929 - October 19, 2021
Research interests: Organic petrography, geothermal research
Professor Emeritus Laurence Vigrass passed away on October 19th, 2021 at the age of 92. Dr. Vigrass served the University of Regina Department of Geology from 1968 until his retirement in 1991. Dr. Vigrass taught Geology of Fluids and initiated a research program in organic petrography during his tenure in the Department. He was Director of Energy Research at the University of Regina; under his direction an experimental well was drilled on campus for geothermal research. Prior to his retirement, Professor Vigrass established the "L. W. Vigrass Prize" valued at $500/year for a student majoring in Geology. A Celebration of Life was held for Prof. Vigrass on Friday, November 12th at 11 a.m. at the Library, 41 Elm St., Katepwa Beach SK.
Prof. Vigrass’ obituary.
19 February 1932 - 3 January 2022
Les emigrated to Canada in 1957 to accept a geological position with the Saskatchewan Department of Mineral Resources in Regina. This started a long and distinguished career with the government, spanning 36 years. Apart from his work with the government, Les was appointed Adjunct Professor of Geology at the University of Regina and taught classes in Mineral Deposits, Uranium Geology and Geochemical Exploration from 1970 to 1995. Other appointments included directorships at the Centre for Precambrian Studies at the University of Manitoba and the Coal Mining Research Centre, Devon, Alberta. A full obituary and space for condolences to Jim’s family are available at the following link.
January 25, 1933 - June 8, 2022
Research interests: Carbonate sedimentology and stratigraphy
The Department of Geology is saddened to share the news that Dr. Donald Kent, Professor Emeritus, passed away on June 8th, 2022. Don was a great friend, colleague, teacher and mentor who served as a professor of Geology at the University of Regina from 1968 until his retirement in June 1996; during that time he served for some time as the Head of the Geology Department.
Don's research on understanding the petroleum geology of Canada has provided much of the foundation upon which petroleum exploration in Saskatchewan was based. He received many awards for his professional work, with the most recent being the 2021 Canadian Professional Geoscientist Award.
Although he demanded a lot from his students, he was well liked and admired by them. Upon his retirement, Dr. Kent set up two scholarships (Sedimentary Geology Scholarship and Donald Kent Geology Award) to support our students. These contributions coupled with his recognized dedication to teaching and mentoring of students through his career led to creation of the ‘D.M. Kent Club of Geology’ (the University of Regina undergraduate geology club) in the early 2000s.
Dr. Kent also had a long-standing career as a football referee, including service in the Canadian Football League.
He will be remembered fondly and missed immensely.
Dr. Kent's obituary and memorial service details are posted here.
A longer history of Dr. Kent's life and a copy of his memorial card can be viewed here.
December 19, 1930 - August 9, 2022
Research interests: Precambrian Geology
The Department of Geology is saddened to share the news that Dr Robert "Bob" MacDonald, passed away on August 9th, 2022. Bob served as an instructor in the department of Geology at the University of Regina after his retirement from the Saskatchewan Geological Survey in 1995.
Dr. MacDonald's obituary and memorial service details are posted here.
A copy of Dr. MacDonald's honour role citation for the Saskatchewan Geological Society can be viewed here.
Administrative Assistants and Technicians
5 Jul 1942 – 11 May 2023
Bobbie served as the Geology Administrative Assistant until 2003, and was a much beloved member of the departmental community. A full obituary and space for condolences to Bobbie’s family are available here.
25 December 1954 - 6 February 2024
Linda Mark once served as the administrative assistant for the Department of Geology. An obituary for Linda can be found here.
Alumni
1959 - 6 Dec 2020
Kim was a graduate of the University of Regina Department of Geology and was highly involved in the Saskatchewan Geological Society and worked for the SK Geological Survey at the Subsurface Laboratory.
A full obituary and space for condolences to Kim’s family are available here.
And a Rock Record (December 2020) issue in Kim’s memory is also available on the SGS website here.
Kim's Honour Roll Citation by the SGS can be found here.
15 November 1949 – 12 January 2024
Gary enrolled in the University of Regina in 1968, achieving a BSc. in Geology in 1974. Gary had already done extensive work in mineral exploration as early as 1970 when he was employed by Cordilleran Engineering in searching for copper pyrite in the Kootenays in the province of British Columbia. Because of his continuous involvement in the surrounding district he eventually decided to move in 1976 from Saskatchewan to Vancouver. Gary explored vast areas of British Columbia, the Yukon, North-West Territories, the Arctic Islands, parts of Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as various areas of Ontario and Newfoundland. He was also contracted to search abandoned gold properties in Brazil while based out of British Guiana. His retirement came in 2019 after he successfully helped locate a major gold discovery south of Hope, British Columbia.
A full obituary and space for condolences to Gary’s family are available here.