Ron Tank, Lawrence's Oldest Living Professor Emeritus, Has Passed Away

Ronald W. Tank, professor emeritus of Geology passed away on November 7, 2025 at the age of 96. Ron lived to learn and spent most of his life on college campuses. He earned a B.S. degree in geology and two M.S. degrees at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, a PhD degree at Indiana University, and a diploma from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Ron taught at Downer College for two years, and at Lawrence for 27 years (1964-1991). The highlight of his teaching career was as director of the LU campus in Eningen Germany (1969-70 and 1972-73).

Ron in field in Switzerland

At the commencement exercises held on the University's Main Hall Green in June 1991, Ron was awarded the honorary degree of Master of Arts, ad eundem. President Richard Warch's citation read:

Ronald W. Tank, in your 29 years of service at Milwaukee-Downer and at Lawrence you have emphasized the close relationship between your science of geology and the aims and aspirations we hold in common. While doing research and teaching in your specialties of clay mineralogy and sedimentology, you added leaven to the geology curriculum by developing courses appealing to a broad spectrum of Lawrentians. You brought to Lawrence the distinction of being the first college in the country to offer "Environmental Geology." Your seminar in "Legal Aspects of Geology" affords another example of the distinctive and extensive perspectives you have imparted to the Lawrence curriculum. And your recent interest in the geology of our national parks has not only enlivened your teaching, but provided you with an exceptionally attractive travel itinerary.

You have not only taught Lawrentians, but have instructed your colleagues and their students beyond the college as well. The textbooks you have published for and from your courses here have found a wide reading. These works manifest the energy, intelligence, and skillful organization that characterized your teaching and your research. And your students' postgraduate successes, not only in geology, but in fields including ministry, medicine, and law provide testimony to the high standards you set for yourself and for them. By your efforts and your example, you prompted and promoted their lives after Lawrence. As you now take that step as well, we salute you for your service to the college and to all Lawrentians who have profited from your tutelage.

Professor Ron Tank in 1964

Ron was a pioneer in the development of environmental geology, devoted many hours to a variety of environmental issues, and wrote the first textbook on the subject. Ron dedicated his life to teaching and during his retirement he lectured on board cruise ships and for the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea program. He tutored first graders in Appleton's Reading for Success program, was a volunteer for the Fox Valley Literacy Coalition, and trained reservists in the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

He was often seen on the Lawrence campus where he maintained an office until his death. He filled in for the current geo profs as needed and attended every reunion - happily hosting the Geology Department open house. His book Geology at Lawrence University 1847-1991 was his final intellectual gift to the school and the students he loved so much.

In Ron's memory, donations may be sent to Lawrence University to be applied to the The Tank-Palmquist-Ross Award in Geology.

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