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P H I L I P E. L A M O R E A U X, S R.
1920–2008
Elected in 1987
“For geological and geotechnical contributions to groundwater resource
development and to hazardous waste disposal and management.”
BY JAMES K. MITCHELL
PHILIP ELMER LAMOREAUX, SR. of A. E. LaMoreaux
and Associates, Inc., died at his home in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
on June 23, 2008, at the age of 88. He was a leading figure in the
development of hydrogeology and environmental geology,
two of the most dynamic subdisciplines of geology in the late
twentieth century and an internationally recognized contributor
to the field of hydrology of karst terrains.
Born in Chardon, Ohio, on May 12, 1920, Philip LaMoreaux
received a B.A. from Denison University in 1943, an M.S. from
the University of Alabama in 1949, and an Honorary Doctor of
Science from Denison University in 1972. He was a registered
professional geologist in 14 states.
Philip LaMoreaux’s professional career included working
in several federal and state agencies, academic institutions,
and as a private consultant. After serving as a geologist with
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
from 1943 to 1945, he was the district geologist in charge of the
USGS Groundwater Office in Alabama from 1945 to 1957. He
began teaching geology and hydrogeology at the University of
Alabama as an adjunct professor in 1945 and continued in that
position until his retirement from the university in 1985.
During 1957 and 1958, Dr. LaMoreaux was division hydrologist
in charge of water resource programs in the 14-state Mid-
Continent Area of the USGS. From 1959 to 1961, he was chief
of the USGS Groundwater Branch in Washington, D.C., where
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118 MEMORIAL TRIBUTES
his responsibilities included supervising all USGS groundwater
activities in the United States and its possessions.
From May 1961 to August 1976, Dr. LaMoreaux was state
geologist and oil and gas supervisor for Alabama, a period
during which the state surrey became one of the leading state
geological agencies in the country; the agency’s work covered
geology, minerals, water, energy, and the environment. His
consulting firm, LaMoreaux and Associates, Inc. (PELA),
which was incorporated in 1975, carried out assignments in all
of these areas internationally; he was president (1970–1987),
chairman of the board (1987–1990), and then senior
hydrogeologist of the company. Dr. LaMoreaux visited 33
countries in carrying out assignments as a representative of
U.S.AID, World Bank, and FAO/United Nations, as well as a
private consultant. He was especially proud of his successes in
finding and developing groundwater resources in the arid
Middle East.
Dr. LaMoreaux authored approximately 150 scientific and
technical publications in his areas of expertise and held several
editorial positions. In 1983, at the request of the president of
the University of Alabama, he organized and directed the
Environmental Institute for Waste Management Studies,
which was established in response to environmental issues
that came to the fore during the late 1960s and 1970s. This
pioneering institute brought together 10 nationally recognized
experts in a range of engineering and scientific disciplines to
study and report on technical, social, and economic issues
related to the safe management of wastes and the protection of
the environment.
During his career, Philip LaMoreaux was a member of some
30 different professional and scientific societies and held
significant offices in many of them. He was the first chairman
of the Hydrology Division of the Geological Society of America,
chairman of the Groundwater Division of the American
Geophysical Union, president of the Association of American
State Geologists, vice president and president of the American
Geological Institute, vice president and president of the
International Association of Hydrogeologists, chairman of the
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PHILIP E. LAMOREAUX, SR.
Board of Trustees of the Geological Society of America
Foundation, and editor-in-chief of Environmental Geology. He
also served on numerous advisory panels to federal agencies,
including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Environmental
Protection Agency, USGS, and the U.S. Department of the
Interior. In each of these positions he demonstrated an
extraordinary ability to visualize all aspects of a problem and
focus the efforts of individuals in the group on solving it.
Among Dr. LaMoreaux’s many awards were honorary
memberships in 10 societies in the United States and abroad.
He was elected to NAE in 1987 and served on numerous
National Academies boards and committees throughout his
career. These included the Board on Radioactive Waste
Management, Committee on Hazardous Waste Management,
National Committee for the International Hydrogeological
Decade, Board on Mineral and Energy Resources, Geotechnical
Board, and Board on Earth Sciences and Resources.
Colleagues and friends have described Phil LaMoreaux as
“a wonderful, compassionate man” who could “charm a bird
out of a tree,” “a tough taskmaster who gave you a job to do
and expected you to do it,” and “someone who valued talent
and was willing to give you a chance.” Family members often
accompanied him on international trips, and his youngest son,
Jim LaMoreaux, recalls: “He never met a stranger. He traveled
all over the world, and it didn’t matter what country or what
culture—he was interested in people and their culture. . . .
Whether it was a colleague or a student that he taught, or an
employee, he always imparted something special . . . that they
really appreciated, and (they) learned to become better
professionals and people because of it.”
While Phil was engaged in a project to discover and develop
groundwater resources deep beneath the Western Desert in
Egypt, he developed a passion for the study of the biblical
Exodus and the parting of the Red Sea. This led to publication
of a book, written with an Egyptian colleague, on applications
of hydrogeological theories to aspects of Moses’ trek across
the Egyptian desert.
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120 MEMORIAL TRIBUTES
Philip E. LaMoreaux is survived by his wife of 64 years,
Bunnie LaMoreaux; two sons, Philip E. LaMoreaux, Jr. and
James W. LaMoreaux; a daughter, Karen LaMoreaux Bryan
(deceased as of March 9, 2009); and nine grandchildren and
one great-grandchild. This extraordinary professional and
gentleman has left an unparalleled legacy.
From the family
To relax dad liked to spend time with his family at a farm
about 15 miles outside of town. Many special memories linger
of birthdays, anniversaries and holidays celebrated at the
cabin on the property. He also tended a garden and loved to
share the fruits of his labors with friends and family members.
Many people who were sick or in need of an emotional lift
were given beautiful flowers and vegetables from his garden
to brighten their day. His family was much like his garden.
He loved his wife, children, and grandchildren and was
very generous in his time and contributions to their lives. He
also touched the lives of their friends, many of whom said he
was like a father figure to them. In fact, during the almost 65
years that he and mom were married they traveled all over the
world visiting friends and meeting with colleagues and former
students with whom they had stayed in close contact. They
had many wonderful and unique experiences that they shared
together and with this extended family. Dad published an
annual series of vignettes of their personal memories and
numerous travels which he gave to family and friends.
Although the immediate family knew many of these people
and/or had heard stories about them, we were overwhelmed
by the condolences from around the world that helped us
know how many lives dad had impacted. Dad lived his life to
the fullest and shared his enthusiasm for life and his work
with all of us and would want us to do the same.
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