Eldridge M. Moores *63

Eldridge Moores, distinguished professor emeritus of geology at the University of California, Davis, died Oct. 28, 2018, at the age of 80.

Moores graduated from Caltech in 1959 and earned a Ph.D. in geology from Princeton in 1963. He had a postdoctoral fellowship for study in Greece, which he later continued in Cyprus. This initial work led to his important contributions to plate tectonics.

In 1966 Moores joined the geology department at the University of California, Davis, where he remained for his entire career, culminating in emeritus status in 2003. In 2011 he was awarded the honorary title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. He was a dedicated teacher and scholar.

Moores wrote or co-wrote more than 130 scientific papers. From 1981 to 1988, he was editor of Geology, the journal of the Geological Society of America (GSA). He played a part in Assembling California, the final volume of the four-volume Pulitzer-prize winning Annals of the Former World, by John A. McPhee ’53.

He was president of the GSA and vice president of the International Union of Geologic Science. He also played cello in the UC Davis Symphony for 28 years.

Moores is survived by his wife, Judy; three children, including Geneva ’88; and three grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are written by the APGA.