Franklyn Van Houten, Princeton professor emeritus of geological and geophysical sciences, died Aug. 27, 2010. He was 96.

Van Houten received a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers in 1936 and a Ph.D. in geology from Princeton in 1941. He then served in the Navy. In 1946, Van Houten returned to Princeton as an assistant professor. He became a full professor in 1955, and retired in 1985.

An expert in sedimentology (the study of history buried in sedimentary rocks), his interests led him to spend countless summers of discovery in North and South America and in North Africa. Sedimentary rocks have been vital to oil exploration, as well as being a main source about the Earth’s history.

Honored by his colleagues for his pioneering research and writing, Van Houten was a dedicated teacher who had a profound effect on his students, many of whom followed in his path. His personal guidebooks are still used by Princeton on class field trips. He taught courses from the introductory level to graduate seminars. For many years, he was an undergraduate adviser and the director of graduate studies for his department.

Van Houten was predeceased in 1997 by his wife, Jean, and in 1999 by a grandson. He is survived by three children and four grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.
Graduate Class of 1941