Alonzo W. Quinn, Brown University Emeritus Professor of Geological Sciences, died on April 8, 1977 at the age of 77. He was one of the few remaining generalists in an age of specialization. His contributions were in many areas: in the deciphering of the geology of New England, in the education of many generations of Brown students, and in service to the state of Rhode Island. Shunning any flamboyant gesture, he preferred to pursue his work quietly, patiently, and with unassuming dedication.
He was born in Halltown, Missouri and was fond of recalling the occasion when he and his parents moved to Colorado in a covered wagon. He grew up in Longmont, Colorado and received his Bachelor of Science from Denison University in 1924. Alonzo pursued graduate study at Kansas University and the State University of Iowa, from which he received a Master’s degree in 1926. He held his first academic position as Instructor at Williams College for the next two years.
In 1928 Alonzo went to Harvard to continue his graduate study and received his Ph.D. from there in 1931. He came to Brown as an Instructor in 1929. He remained here until his retirement in 1968. He was Chairman of the Geology Department from 1940 to 1961. Although the department had a staff of only 2-3 persons during much of his tenure as Chairman, he played a key role in its expansion beginning about 1958. Of his many academic and scientific achievements, he was proudest of the emergence of the department to a position of national recognition.
He actively pursued geologic field studies throughout his professional career, beginning in 1926 with the Illinois Geological Survey. He worked for most summers from 1929 through 1967 with the U.S. Geological Survey. He is the author of numerous geologic maps, reports, and articles dealing primarily with areas in Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The fruition of his many years of field work in Rhode Island was the publication of the state geologic map and text in 1971. In recognition of his scientific accomplishments, Denison University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Science in 1967.
His straightforward manner and quiet humor were appreciated by many Brown and Pembroke students. He firmly believed that geologic training was an important part of their education whether for appreciating the natural world or for more scientific and practical pursuits. He and his wife Alice welcomed many generations of undergraduates and graduates into their home and life.
He was active in the community where he used his geologic training to help the citizens of this state. He was Chairman of the Mineral Resources Committee of Rhode Island Industrial Commission, later the Rhode Island Port and Industrial Development Commission from 1943 to 1951. He was a member of the Water Resources Commission of Rhode Island from 1951 to 1953 and Vice-Chairman of the Water Resources Coordinating Board from 1955 to 1967.
Lon left many friends and colleagues in Rhode Island and elsewhere who will remember and honor him not only for his many contributions but for the quiet and professional way in which he achieved them. He has inspired many of us by both his example and his method.
Memorial read at Brown University Faculty Meeting on October 4, 1977, taken from the Foreword to Rhode Island Geology for the Non-geologist by Alonzo Quinn, published by the RI Department of Natural Resources (1976), reprinted by RI Natural History Survey (1997).