CRMC mourns the passing of Dr. Jon Boothroyd

October 19, 2015, WAKEFIELD – The Coastal Resources Management Council is mourning the recent passing of Rhode Island’s state geologist, research professor emeritus at the University of Rhode Island, and long-time CRMC advisor and colleague, Dr. Jon Boothroyd, at 77.

Dr. Boothroyd had worked closely with the CRMC on a number of planning efforts throughout the last two-plus decades, including serving as an advisor on dredging in the state, various coastal geologic hazards issues, benthic habitats, sea level rise and erosion, and revisions to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program (RICRMP).

Most recently, Dr. Boothroyd had conducted an update of the shoreline change maps that are a part of the CRMC’s coastal program, and associated data which will be incorporated into the ongoing Shoreline Change (Beach) Special Area Management Plan effort.

Primarily a field geologist specializing in coastal, braided river, and various glacial environments, Dr. Boothroyd received his Ph.D. in geology from the University of South Carolina-Columbia in 1974, and had taught geology at the University of Rhode Island (first as an assistant professor, then as professor) since 1975.

“He was a huge presence in Rhode Island geology and coastal zone management, but his influence went far beyond that,” said CRMC’s coastal geologist Janet Freedman, also a former graduate student and long-time colleague of Boothroyd. “Whenever I meet former students at conferences, everybody always has a story to share. He was very generous with his time and knowledge.”

“Jon had a lasting and profound impact on the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program. Much of the geologic language in the program was drafted by Jon and he trained many of our staff, including me,” said CRMC Executive Director Grover Fugate. “Jon was an ‘old school’ scientist and had a sense of integrity that people could see and hear and I think that is why he was so widely respected. He was able to take very complex geological processes and break them down so that the average individual could understand, and this is what made him so widely sought after - his ability to span so many audiences. He will be sorely missed but not forgotten, as his legacy will live on through our program.”

CRMC Chairwoman Anne Maxwell Livingston commented that, “Jon’s work on the Beach SAMP was invaluable, and the CRMC will profoundly miss his input on such endeavors. He was a credit to the scientific community.”

“The State of Rhode Island has lost a staunch supporter and tremendous advocate for our environment,” said Michael Tikoian, former CRMC chair. “Jon Boothroyd was always supportive and committed to the work of the CRMC. His professionalism, knowledge and commitment to the preservation of our environment will be solely missed.”