A photo of E. T. Hodge from the GSOC Archives.
FOUNDER OF GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE OREGON COUNTRY DIES
Dr. Edwin T. Hodge, professor of geology at Oregon State University until his retirement, was found dead at his home at 2915 N. W. Luray Terrace on November 7. After cremation, his ashes were dispersed on the Skyline West Hills. He was the husband of the late Lydia Herrick Hodge, artist, educator and executive secretary of the Oregon Ceramic Studio, now known as the Contemporary Crafts Gallery. Her death occurred at 74 on September 17, 1960. Dr. Hodge was 81 on July 12.On April 18, 1935, the Geological Society of the Oregon Country was formed from the nucleus of 100 students from the geology classes taught by Dr. Hodge at the Portland Extension Center of the University of Oregon. This society promotes the awareness of geological knowledge for its membership which is open to all interested persons. Dr. Hodge was the first and sixteenth president of the society, and the membership has continued to grow during its 35 year life.
In an address to the society in 1945, Dr. Hodge stated, "It is my dream that this society sponsor a museum that will become the Smithsonian of the West." Dr. John Cyprian Stevens was appointed as the society's museum director and in 1946 OMSI was born. While his dream has taken on the form of technological push-button Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the spark of its beginning is a tribute to Dr. Hodge.
Oregonians are especially indebted to this eminent geologist for his many publications, especially: "The Geology of North Central Oregon," "The Geology of the Lower Columbia River," and "Mount Multnomah -- Ancient Ancestor of the Three Sisters." One of his signal contributions to economic geology is his 16 volume summary of the natural resources of the Pacific North West. These reports on the sources for iron ores, manganese, magnesia, silica, limestone, and clay have been used extensively by the electrochemical and electrometallurgical industries of the Northwest.
His record of employment includes being President of the British Bureau of Mines; Professor of Geology, University of Oregon and Oregon State University since 1920; Consultant to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 1932 -42 during which time he located the site for the Bonneville Dam, gave it its name, and supervised the foundation work. He was consulting geologist for the Round Butte Dam and Reservoir, and held many other executive positions on the staff of municipalities, state highway commissions, mining companies and surveys.
Internationally he was requested to make geological investigations in Uganda, Southern Rhodesia, South Africa, Belgian Congo, Ghana, Liberia, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Japan, China, Manchuria, Philippines, Malay States, and all states of the United States including Alaska. This survey of the world for its minerals resulted in a 10 Volume report which is now housed in the historical files of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers library.
Dr. Hodge was a member of many professional organizations and learned societies and held many honorary positions. He was Fellow and Life Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, President of the British Columbia Chamber of Mines; Fellow, Geological Society of America; Fellow, American Geographical Society; Fellow, Seismological Society of America; member International Geological Congress; member American Ceramic Society; and honorary member as well as founding president of the Geological Society of the Oregon Country.
Survivors of Dr. and Mrs. Edwin T. Hodge are a niece, Mrs. Marion Walker and her daughter Suzanne Walker.
Friends who wish to contribute a Memorial Fund for Dr. Hodge may send their gifts to the Geological Society of the Oregon Country, in care of OMSI at 4500 S. W. Canyon Road, Portland, Oregon.
Viola L. Oberson, reprinted from the December 1970 issue of