Gerald Henderson, a geologist who became the first Canadian-born president of Chevron Canada, died peacefully March 14, 2014. He was 87.
Henderson earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in geology from McGill University in 1948 and 1950, respectively. In 1953, he received a Ph.D. in geology from Princeton, and not long after began his career with Chevron Canada. His first position was as a field geologist, where he spent May through September leading field parties, mostly on horseback, in the Rocky Mountains.
Rising steadily within the company, Henderson became chief geologist in 1963, vice president of exploration in 1967, and concluded his career as president. Under Henderson, Chevron had major exploration discoveries (including at Hibernia, the largest offshore oil development in Canadian history). In 1986, he retired at age 60.
Among Henderson’s many honors, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1973 and was the 1994 recipient of the prestigious Slipper Award from the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists. In retirement, he served for 10 years with the executive leadership of the World Petroleum Congress, and on the boards of several charitable societies.
He is survived by Beverley, his wife of 59 years; two daughters, Lynna and Tara; and four grandsons, Andrew, Stephen, Christopher, and Rohan. His daughter Gail predeceased him.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.