Richard L. Thurn ’59

Dick died April 15, 2010, at his home in Livingston, Ala.

Born in Perth Amboy, N.J., Dick entered Princeton from Westfield (N.J.) Senior High School, where he ran track and played football. At Princeton he majored in geological engineering, played on the JV football team, and excelled in IAA sports for Dial Lodge, where he took his meals.

Dick served with the Army in Vietnam and then earned an advanced degree in geology from South Dakota School of Mines (1968) and in science education from the University of Iowa (1982). He joined the faculty of the University of West Alabama in the physical sciences department, where he taught earth science and geology.

In 1986 he married Madoline Jordan, a former student who had sat in the front row of his earth-science class. He retired in 2002, abhorred it, and returned as a professor for three more years.

When he finally eased into retirement, Dick “settled down to life in small-town Alabama,” singing in local concerts and acting with a performing-arts group. His interests in genealogy and travel led to tracing his Scottish and German family roots.

Dick was survived by Madoline and stepsons Algie and Russell Morgan. We have sent condolences.