A native of Beloit, WI, Randy Phillips knew early-on that he was interested in science.  He went on to earn his B.Sc. in Natural and Applied Science – Wildlife Biology and Population Dynamics with a minor in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay., and his first professional job was as Naturalist at the Green Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.  But after a few years, in 1980, Randy began his career teaching science in the Brown County school system, which he would continue for the next 30 years.  Fortunately for those of us who love earth science, he chose this  field as his specialty.

Randy has always been willing to share his love and knowledge of earth science with students, hobbyists, academics, and the general public.  Joining the Neville Public Museum Geology Club in 1982, over the next 35 years, he served as the club’s Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, Show Chair, Membership Chair, Field Trip Chair, and President.  Currently, as Program Chair, he works tirelessly to schedule unique and varied presenters from universities, museums and industry for club members to learn from and enjoy.  Throughout the years, Randy has also promoted the earth sciences by serving the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical & Geological Societies, including as Program Judge, as All-American Club Entry Judge & Committee Chair, and as a member of Nomination Committee.  

A strong advocate of museums, Randy has worked closely with the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay for more than 30 years and with the Weis Earth Science Museum in Menasha for the last 17 years.  He has donated specimens to them, offered his expertise, mounted exhibits of minerals and fossils, helped run annual rock shows with them, provided hands-on activities for visitors, and rallied rock club members as volunteers.  Randy has also been a regular participant in the annual Einstein Expo in Green Bay, which brings hands-on science activities to several thousand kids and their families.

In 1984, Randy established R&S Rocks and Science Specialists to sell minerals, fossils, and scientific items to the public (although it likely was a good way to find some cool items for his personal collection, too!).  You can find Randy, his wife Sandra and son Douglas at many of the rock shows around the State helping visitors of all ages find the perfect specimen.  He also offers repairs of microscopes, balances and other scientific equipment.

​Randy has long been a friend to professors at local universities from UW-Green Bay, UW-Fox Valle,  St. Norbert, and others, helping find the mineral and fossil specimens they need to teach their classes or conduct their research from among his many contacts among hobbyists, vendors, and others.  As a dedicated teacher and as a member of the Wisconsin Earth Science Teachers Association and the Wisconsin Science Teachers Association, Randy has promoted the importance of teaching earth science in our schools for more than 30 years.  Described as “awesome”, “caring”, “scary smart”and a “role model for life,” Randy had a huge  impact on his students at Green Bay East High School, in some cases having mentored more than one generation within a family.  Just think of how many other students just learned to love the Earth because of him!

Husband and wife Dan & Ellen Dettwiler were awarded the 2014 Donna Nolte Inspiration Award by the Weis Earth Science Museum, Menasha, WI. The Nolte Award honors “those who served the hobby of geology with inspiration and innovation, encouraging others, especially youth, to appreciate and enjoy Earth’s treasures.”

Dan and Ellen have served the hobby in a number of clubs over several decades, have volunteered to help on research projects, and, Dan in particular, has done some high quality paleontological work in his own right.  He assembled a comprehensive collection of fossils from the Devonian of Wisconsin, which he has made an important resource for scientists and hobbyists.  He even taught paleontology classes to club members in his own home.

Andrew Fredericks, of Oshkosh, WI, is the 2013 recipient of the Donna Nolte Award.  Born in Appleton, WI, in 1915, Andy served in the Navy during World War II.  Returning to Wisconsin in 1952, he joined the Valley Rock and Mineral Club and became interested in making lapidary jewelry.  He became an expert lapidarist and enjoyed teaching others.  Committed to promoting the hobby of earth science, Andy helped to found the Oshkosh Earth Science Club in 1968 and the Weis’n’Miners Geology Club of the Weis Earth Science Museum in 2007.  Active in these clubs for nearly 50 years, Andy inspired countless children and adults to appreciate the beauty of mineral lapidary and to pursue an interest in the earth sciences.

Mike Riesch has been named the 2012 recipient of the Donna Nolte Award, presented by the Weis Earth Science Museum, Menasha, Wisconsin.  The award is presented to those who have been inspirational or innovative in encouraging others, especially young people, to appreciate Earth’s mineral and fossil treasures and to enjoy geological hobbies.  Mike is the founder/director of Earthaven Museum in Gillete, Wisconsin.

Mike’s interest in geology began early.  His mother would take Mike and his sister for walks in fields where they would pick up interesting rocks.  One of the earliest treasures that MIke unearthed was an abalone shell — in a Wisconsin farm field!  What was it doing there?!  Intrigued by that specimen, he began investigating the origins of his other finds.  

His college courses were focused in the humanities, but he never lost his geological curiosity.  He continued to be intrigued by the treasures of the earth, picked up geology courses as an adult and read voraciously.  During the time he lived in Washington, DC, he volunteered at the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum and got to unpack and catalog other people’s finds.  That was not enough; he wanted to find things himself. 

During the time he lived in Pueblo, CO, he became involved in the local rock club, served as its President, became involved with the Midwest Federation of Gem and Mineral Societies and enjoyed field trips that gave him the opportunity to find specimens himself!  

That’s never stopped.  His greatest joy continues to be hands-on discoveries.  A decade ago he decided that his collection should no longer reside in boxes and a few cases in his home.  He wanted to share it with his community.  That was the beginning of Earthaven Museum.  

Earthaven gives Mike the opportunity to display his specimens, especially his extensive mineral collection, and to share his love and knowledge of geology with others.  He especially enjoys giving school children and scout groups tours of the museum, where he provides them with lots of hands-on education.

Burnell  “Burnie” Franke began his fascination with rock collecting in the late 1950s, when some friends took him hunting for petrified wood in Montana.  Little did they know what kind of Pandora’s Box they were opening!  He enjoyed it so much that he would return many times through the years to Tom Miner Basin, now a part of the Gallatin Petrified Forest.  

Back home in Madison, Burnie became a cook at the Brooks Street YWCA, and as his rock interest flourished, he was given a workshop in the basement.  Eventually, so many people found their way to him that he decided to open up a shop full-time.  He found a storefront not far from the University of Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium.  Soon enough, he had hired some part-time help, and increased his offerings from rocks and specimens to jewelry supplies and lapidary tools.  

In the 1970s,  as the counter-culture flourished, the pet shop up the street posted “GET STONED AT BURNIE’S”, a comical sign of the times which found its way to T-shirts, mugs and bumper stickers around the country.  By this time Burnie had been instrumental in founding the Madison Community Center Lapidary and Mineral Club.  His wife Marilee taught English in Jefferson; the family resided there, and Burnie commuted to the Mad City.  Madison Area Technical College began offering classes in lapidary, and he became the instructor.  Around this time, Burnie and family were instrumental in founding the Rock River Valley Geological Society (AKA the Jefferson Rock Club), which, like the Madison club, has hosted an annual show since its inception.

Marilee, son Nevin and daughter Becky helped search for rocks during summer trips to Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming, and made many outings to Prairie du Chien for Lake Superior agates.  Eventually, scores of lapidary students would be introduced to the joys of agate hunting by Burnie.  They were also enthralled by the mandatory stops at the Phetteplace Museum in Wauzeka where Joe Phetteplace showcased his amazing stone and shell intarsia work.

In 1977, a bank purchased the building Burnie had been renting and a new home was found on East Johnson Street, where the rock shop still operates today.  A large vault was procured, the old wood floors were stripped, and the former George’s Grocery Store became a well-known specialty and gift shop.  By now, Burnie’s staff included some amazing folks:  Frank Love, a retired railroad man who exhibited his fine gemstone eggs at the Madison Gem Shows, Helen Anderson, a bead enthusiast whose daughter Kristin Anderson is a very well-known enamellist, and Dian Peck, a metalsmith who still works at the shop and displays her hand-made jewelry.

After many years in retail (and a major heart attack), Burnie decided to slow down.  In 1997 he sold the shop to a partnership of former clients.   He remained a presence at the shop and continued to offer his merchandise on consignment, however the partnership dissolved and the business suffered.  Nevin, who was already doing lapidary full-time, decided to purchase the business in 1999.   Now, he and his wife Sonali continue to run the shop and have expanded its offerings.  Still active in the Madison Gem and Mineral Club and at the shop, Burnie, now in his 87th year, enjoys sharing his collection at home along with his famous home-made pies, jams and jellies.

Pete Rodewald has been named the 2010 recipient of the Donna Nolte Inspiration Award, presented by the Weis Earth Science Museum.  His nominator is Dr. William Cordua, University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

The Donna Nolte Inspiration Award is presented to individuals who have been inspirational or innovative in encouraging others, especially young people, to appreciate Earth’s mineral and fossil treasures and to enjoy geological hobbies.  The award is named for Donna Nolte (Omro, WI), in honor of her long-time service to the hobby of geology as well as the inspiration and innovation she has shown in encouraging people to understand and enjoy Earth’s treasures.

Pete Rodewald, a self-taught amateur mineralogist known for his warm personality, spent much of his life studying rocks and tirelessly sharing his knowledge with others.  As a boy in western Wisconsin, he started picking up agates and other interesting rocks on Rush River gravel bars. He settled with his mother south of River Falls (WI), where he worked at various farm-related jobs. His real passion was natural history, especially rocks and birds. He trained himself to be an outstanding photographer of both subjects.

Rodewald did as much field collecting as his work allowed, including traveling to Montana, Wyoming and particularly to Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. His eye for spotting interesting samples, as well as his skill with a metal detector, are legendary.

He is an expert and innovative lapidary.  Rodewald has a particular interest in Lake Superior agates, Keweenawan native copper, and their unique combination:  the copper-bearing agates from the Wolverine Mine.  He has been generous with specimen donations to universities and other institutions.

He was one of the charter members of the St. Croix Rockhounds Club based in Stillwater, Minnesota.  He has held every office within the club, and has displayed at every one of that organization’s mineral shows.  He has exhibited at many other area shows, additionally being a lively and popular speaker at many area club meetings and shows.  Two personal highlights for Rodewald include speaking at the 2005 Munich, Germany agate symposium and at the 2008 Wonderful World of Agates symposium held at the Weis.

Rodewald’s remarkable photographic skills make his images a highlight in all of his talks and presentations.  He has become particularly adept at photographing the spectacular color patterns in iris and fluorescent agates.  His photographs have been widely published, most notably in “Rocks and Minerals” magazine, Michael Carlson’s “Beauty of Banded Agates” and Johann Zenz’ massive “Agates II” volume.  He has developed an award winning slide show, “Lake Superior Agates, Naturally” for the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.  He also co-created, with Dean Stone, another award winning slide show for the Federation, “Michigan’s White Pine Mine.”  A third program, based on his iris agate slides, is currently being prepared by Dr. Wayne Sukow, formerly of the National Science Foundation.

Rodewald’s stunning photographs, many talks and displays have served as a delight and inspiration for young and old, encouraging many individuals to collect and learn more about the Earth.  He is a role model for the idea that persistence and dedication, coupled with a great joy and love of life-long learning, even without college-level training, can lead one to make significant contributions to the understanding of the Earth. 

Thomas Buchholz has been named the 2016 recipient of the Katherine G. Nelson Award, presented by the Weis Earth Science Museum, Menasha, Wisconsin.  The award honors those who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in Wisconsin or Wisconsinites who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in general. 

His  interest in geology began with a bribe when he was about 10 years old.  After receiving his back-to-school vaccinations, his mother would often buy Tom a book of his choice, and that year it was a book about rocks and minerals.  He was hooked.  His interest continued through school and he even got in one year as  geology major at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.  

But then he was  invited to see the world courtesy of the US Army via the draft.  Tom decided to make a career of the Army, which afforded him the opportunity to look at geology and collect minerals at various U.S . sites, and, above all, in Germany.  Over those years, he subscribed to various U.S. and German mineralogy periodicals (Rocks & Minerals, Mineralogical Record, Lapis, Mineralien Welt, etc.), accumulated a library of geological and mineralogical reference books, and acquired a good Zeiss binocular microscope.  Upon retiring from the Army, Tom returned to Wisconsin, and wound up employed at Wood County Emergency Management for 22 years. 

Tom  began exploring Wausau area pegmatites while home on leave in his later years in the Army, and within a year or two of civilian life, he had accumulated a trove of unidentified, but interesting, minerals.  At a loss on how to definitively identify these often-tiny treasures, Tom wrote to Gene LaBerge, then a geology professor at the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh, to ask for suggestions. Gene  suggested that he contact Al Falster, who was then at the University of New Orleans.  Al suggested that Tom send some of the “unknowns” to him and that he would work on them, as time allowed.  However, Al’s time was limited and so, after a year or two, he suggested that Tom come to New Orleans for a week or so and they could concentrate on the samples together.  This evolved into an annual expedition for Tom.  As a result, over the years, this collaboration has resulted in a number of abstracts and publications.

With Als’ retirement from the University of New Orleans and follow-on employment with the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel, ME, the Tom is planning to continue his annual research trips, though now to Maine rather than Louisiana.  Tom believes that there is still a lot to learn about the mineralogy and geology of Wisconsin, more than he’ll be able to get to. So, Tom is leaving plenty for other inquiring souls to work on.

It’s hard for Tom to pinpoint his favorite mineral discovery, but he is able to narrow it down to the phenakite specimen he found in June 1996 in Wimmer Pit #3 in the northeast portion of the Nine Mile Granite, Wausau Complex, Marathon County, WI.  The crystal is featured on the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey web site (www.wgnhs.edu), and was also pictured in Rocks & Minerals, volume 73, number 6.   His other choice for favorite discovery might be his finding of late-stage tantalum enrichment, resulting in the formation of late-stage tantalum-dominant Nb-Ta minerals in many of the pegmatites in the Nine Mile Granite.

Now retired from his second career, Tom continues to search for the “tiny treasures” in Wisconsin’s rocks, helping us better understand the geologic processes that shaped the State by taking the time and care to carefully collect the rare and obscure minerals that so many others overlook.

The Nelson Award was presented to Tom at the April meeting of the Heart of Wisconsin Gem & Mineral Society in Junction City, WI.

Drs. Rachel Krebs Paull and the late Richard (Dick) A. Paull were the recipients of the 2014 Nelson Award presented by the Weis Earth Science Museum, Menasha, WI.  The award honors those who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in Wisconsin or Wisconsinites who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in general.

Wisconsin natives, this husband and wife taught generations of geology students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UW-M) geology department, and were especially famous for the rigorous summer field camp program in Wyoming and Idaho that they hosted for UW-M students.  In 1962, Dick served as the first chair of the then-new UW-M geology department and designed the curriculum along with colleague Dr. Katherine G. Nelson, for whom this award is named.  Both of these geologists did pioneering research in the western states, but they also wrote four books on the geology of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which are still in high demand.  After retirement, Dick and Rachel moved to Littleton, CO, in 1998; Dick passed away in 2012.  Their award was presented via post in March 2015.  

William S. Cordua has been named the 2013 recipient of the Katherine G. Nelson Award, presented by the Weis Earth Science Museum, Menasha, Wisconsin.  The award honors those who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in Wisconsin or Wisconsinites who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in general. 

The dinosaurs didn’t do it.  As a boy growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Bill Cordua had the opportunity to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History on a regular basis.  Although he admired the dinosaur fossils, it wasn’t until he had seen the Hall of Minerals that he became hooked on geology.  He was so interested in minerals that he eventually earned his Ph.D. in geology from Indiana University.

Not content to keep his appreciation for minerals to himself, Bill joined the faculty of the geology program at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1973.  For the next 40 years, he shared his knowledge and love of rocks with his students, who considered him an “awesome” professor.

Bill was also generous with his time and knowledge when it came to amateur mineral enthusiasts and rock clubs.  Of special note, he wrote interesting and accessible popular articles about minerals and various geologic topics.  Many of these have been widely published, and some have won national awards.

Wisconsin has been the focus of his scientific research.  In particular, Bill has compiled the most authoritative and complete list of Wisconsin minerals and the localities where they are found.  This database can be found on the website of the Wisconsin Geological & Natural History Survey.  He also conducted the chemical analysis of the Flambeau copper mine in Rusk County, and researched how the deposit formed.  Intrigued by an unusual rock structure in Pierce County back in 1985, Bill spent the next 20 years patiently looking for evidence that it was the site of meteorite impact crater.  Thanks to Bill’s determination, indisputable proof was found by 2007, and the site, known as the Rock Elm Disturbance, is now known to be what remains of a meteorite that slammed into Wisconsin 470,000,000 years ago.  As usual, Bill wanted to educate as many people as possible about the crater, so he co-authored a tour guide for the public.

Even after retirement, Bill continues to provide his expertise of Wisconsin geology.  Currently, he is working with the city of Ladysmith to mount an exhibit about the Flambeau copper mine.

Mark Shurilla has been named the 2012 recipient of the Katherine G. Nelson Award, presented by the Weis Earth Science Museum, Menasha, Wisconsin.  The award honors those who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in Wisconsin or Wisconsinites who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in general.*

A native of Milwaukee, Mark Shurilla has had two primary loves in his life:  rocks and rock.  A talented musician, Mark was the founder of a diversity of bands, was nominated for a Grammy, had a song he wrote about Milwaukee Brave baseball player Warren Spahn inducted into the National Baseball Music Series Showcase, and established a number of music-oriented publications, including The Shepherd Express, Milwaukee’s free alternative newspaper.  Perhaps he is most famous for producing, promoting and performing in the Buddy Holly Tribute Showcase, which has toured the Midwest for more than 20 years.

Mark’s love of old things goes well beyond classic rock, however, as he has a passion for the fossils found in ancient rocks.  In fact, Mark learned paleontology from the award’s namesake, Katherine Nelson, when he was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the 1970s.  Over the years, Mark also has been an avid member of amateur rock clubs, such as the Wisconsin Geological Society in Milwaukee, which Katherine helped found.  

Mark is responsible for Wisconsin having an official state fossil, and an appropriate one at that.  Back in the early 1980s, he began promoting the trilobite Calymene celebra (now called Gravicalymene celebra), with the same tireless enthusiasm with which he promoted one of his bands or shows.  Rather than a generic fossil, Mark chose a particular trilobite from the Silurian rocks of Milwaukee, which was common, usually found complete, and was famous among fossil collectors.  His perseverance finally paid off, and this trilobite was designated state fossil in 1986. 

Fossils also figured into Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit.  He established the company Express Fossils to deal in fossil specimens, especially amber.  Although he loves all fossils, amber (the petrified resin of ancient trees that may contain the remains of insects and other organisms) has become his primary prehistoric passion.  He travelled to exotic locales around the world in order to collect and acquire amber, but has focused mostly on the Dominican Republic.  Mark has become a true amber expert, whose knowledge is sought after by major auction houses, museums, and collectors.  His knowledge about the fossil marketplace also makes him one a handful of expert fossil appraisers in the U. S.  He has even combined his love of fossils and music when, with Colorado friend Chris Weege, he established Dinopalooza, an outdoor music festival held amongst the dinosaur bone beds.  

Paleontology has also benefitted from Mark’s career as a professional writer.  He has been the editor of the MAPS Digest, the publication of the Mid-America Paleontology Society, since 2005, and has written a number of papers for that journal as well.  For the last few years, he has been working on a book about the amber of the Dominican Republic, which was commissioned by that country.  As Mark has gotten to know the local people who earn their living by collecting amber fossils, has visited the collecting sites many times, and has seen most of the spectacular fossils found there in recent years, the book promises to be exciting and engaging.

From little kids to major museums, Mark has always been generous to everyone with his knowledge and specimens.  Even with his incredibly full schedule in the music promotion and performance business, Mark always found time to help identify fossils in a collection, to bring together donors and museums, to conduct appraisals, and to just share his excitement about fossils.  For example, he helped the Weis Earth Science Museum gather specimens for exhibits when it opened ten years ago, from his own collection and by calling in favors from fellow fossil enthusiasts.  

Mark clearly embodies both objectives of the Nelson Award, having made outstanding contributions to earth science in Wisconsin and as a Wisconsinite who has made outstanding contributions to the earth sciences in general.  A little of Katherine Nelson’s inspiration must have rubbed off on him back in his student days.

*Sadly, this award was presented posthumously, as Mark passed away on May 14, 2012, at age 65, while recuperating from heart surgery. 

Gene LaBerge and Sally LaBerge have been named the 2010 recipient of the Katherine G. Nelson Award, presented by the Weis Earth Science Museum, Menasha, Wisconsin.  The award honors those who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in Wisconsin or Wisconsinites who have made outstanding contributions to earth science in general.

Dr. Gene and Sally LaBerge have devoted themselves to deciphering the ancient geology of Wisconsin and sharing their knowledge and love for rocks, minerals and fossils with generations of students of all ages.  

Fatefully, they both were born on the untamed Precambrian terrane of northern Wisconsin, Gene in Ladysmith and Sally in Niagara.  Gene received his introduction to Precambrian geology on a summer job for U.S. Steel in 1957.  After identifying what he recalls as “several billion pebbles” during the summer of 1958, Gene recognized that Wisconsin Precambrian geology was more than a “green blob” on the map.  

Gene and Sally both received their graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin.  In 1965, both Sally and Gene were hired at the newly established geology department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.  Given the mandate to build a department, Gene taught physical geology, mineralogy, lithology, optical and X-ray mineralogy, petrology, mineral deposits, and geology of Wisconsin, and Sally taught physical and historical geology labs, glacial geology and field methods.  Over the next 33 years, Gene proved to be an exemplary educator, introducing students to field geology and inspiring numerous students to pursue careers as geologists.

As early as 1968, Gene’s work was attracting attention as demonstrated by the Tri-State Geological Field Trip that he and Len Weis organized to the greenstone belt of the Wausau area, which was attended by more than 600 people!  Gene has spent more than fifty years conducting fieldwork on the Precambrian geology of Wisconsin and Michigan, with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey.  During his career, Gene may have walked across more of Wisconsin—from Baraboo to Lake Superior—than anyone else.  And he has the numerous publications to prove it.

Gene is no stranger to the award stage.  Before his retirement in 1998, Gene received all of the teaching and research awards offered by UW Oshkosh—the only faculty member to have done so.  In 1989, he received the Rosebush University Professor Award, the highest award that UW Oshkosh presents for teaching excellence, outstanding research and service.  In 1995, he received the Goldich Medal from the Institute on Lake Superior Geology, which is awarded “to a geologist whose name is associated with a substantial interest in, or a major contribution to, the geology of the Lake Superior region”.  His book Geology of the Lake Superior Region is in its fifth printing.  In 1999, he and his co-authors won the Best Paper Award from Mineralogical Record for their Flambeau Mine article.  In 2004, Gene received the Charles A. Salotti Earth Science Education Award from the Seaman Mineral Museum Society at Michigan Technological University.  It was noted that Gene “dedicated his life to the advancement of mineralogy and the geosciences through education, and in so doing has inspired many others to pursue careers in those fields.”

As a micropaleontologist, Sally began her geological career with a Fulbright Fellowship in Australia.  She also taught at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and UW-Fox Valley.  Sally’s “professional” career was more limited than Gene’s.  But in many ways, Sally was probably the reason Gene was able to maintain such an active successful career.  She raised their three daughters, kept the household together, helped with fieldwork and research, and condoned the unexpected care and feeding of fellow geologists who appeared on their doorstep, even when it was a cabin in the swamps.  During all this, Sally has been an outstanding informal educator, generously sharing her love of fossils, minerals and Wisconsin geology with everyone.  She was instrumental in establishing the youth program at the Oshkosh Earth Science Club, and helped generations of students and others understand what they were looking at on fieldtrips.

Joel Pohl of Belgium, Wisconsin, was named the first recipient of the Nelson Award at the Weis Earth Science Museum on March 14, 2009.  A dairy farmer for most of his life, Joe is a quiet and unassuming man.  But that bucolic image can be misleading.  The plaid flannel shirt disguises the heart of a true adventurer.   Although he has many stories to tell about his exploits as a member of a tank crew in the Korean conflict, an over-the-road truck driver, a big game hunter, and more, it’s Joe’s passion for paleontology that got him nominated for this award. 

Even his cows’ milking schedule couldn’t keep Joe down on the farm if there were fossils to be collected.  Back in the 1970s, during the collecting heyday at the infamous Pit 11 locality for Mazon Creek fossils, Joe would pile his kids in the car after the morning milking and make a beeline down to the northern Illinois coal strip mines.  After a long day climbing up and down the strip mine hills in search of ironstone nodules containing the enigmatic tully monster and other soft-bodied creatures, they would race back to the farm for evening milking.   Wanting to learn more about his fossil finds, Joe began to visit Dr. Eugene Richardson, then curator of Invertebrate Paleontology at the Field Museum in Chicago.  Richardson realized that Joe had a knack for for finding fossils, and Joe soon started donating specimens to the museum—especially the weird ones.  In fact, he discovered some of the earliest-known fossil examples of some animal groups, like the octopus.  Joe’s generosity have led paleontologists to a better understanding of evolution and of this unique and important Pennsylvanian fossil deposit.  He was honored for his efforts when several new species from Mazon Creek were named after him (his son Jim, who is quite a collector himself, also received this honor).  

Joe wasn’t interested in just the flashy Mazon Creek fossils though.  He just loves fossils.  In fact, his extreme dedication to paleontology is demonstrated by his quest for conodonts (that’s right, conodonts).  After one of the many Mid-America Palentological Society Expos that he attended, Joe took a little side trip to try his luck in some Pennsylvanian deposits in western Illinois.  He found interesting invertebrate fossils, but he soon attracted the attention of micropaleontologists for his conodont finds.  Joe would collect certain black shale strata from the stream banks to take home, where, during the long Wisconsin winters, he would carefully split the rock in search of tiny conodont fossils.  As usual, he generously shared his knowledge and the fossils with specialists, who gained new information about this important group of fossil animals, which are considered to be early vertebrates.  Again, scientists showed their appreciation by naming a new species after him.

The Weis Earth Science Museum was pleased to present the first Nelson Award to Joe Pohl, a quintessential Wisconsinite (a dairy farmer in America’s Dairyland, no less).  Because of his passion, generosity, skill, and knowledge, he has made important fossil discoveries, has unselfishly shared important specimens with the scientific community, has helped to advance our knowledge of the history of life on Earth, and serves as a shining example of the substantial role that “amateurs” can play in the progress of science.