Lithos 112S (2009) 775

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Lithos

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Professor Peter Deines (1936–2009)

Professor Peter Deines died on February 2nd, 2009 in the MountNittanyMedical Centre, State College, Pennsylvania, from cancer. Peterwas born in Hannoversch Münden, northern Germany. Followingundergraduate studies at Friedrich Wilhelms University in Bonn, in1959, he left for America, completing first his M.Sc. and then a Ph.D. inGeochemistry and Mineralogy at Pennsylvania State University by1967. Even at this early stage in his career, his potential was recognisedand he was offered a position in the then Department of Geosciencesat State College — a Department which he never left. His decision tostay may have had something to do with Melissa McCreary, who hefirst met in 1970 and married in1973.

Whatever the reason, Peter settled at State College and made aprofound contribution, for just short of 40years, to his University.Being a dedicated teacher, Peter wrote two books for web distribution,“Solved Problems in Geochemistry” and “Stable Isotope GeochemistryCourse Notes”. For his exceptional teaching in Geochemistry he wasawarded the College's Wilson Award. Peter was an elected member ofthe University Senate for 24 years, served on over 60 committees, andwas an advisor to the University President. After moving to Emeritus

doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2009.06.014

status in 2004, Peter continued to serve his University as Ombudsman(since 2006) and Associate Head, Graduate Programs.

In parallel with this work and up to the latter part of 2008, Peterwas also actively pursuing his research into stable isotope geochem-istry, particularly of the mantle, a subject for which he was justifiablyrecognised worldwide. His contributions in this field were immense.From an initial inquiry in 1975 about collaboration with the older ofthe authors writing this text, was born a research partnership whichendured for 35years. Peter's analytical ability and geochemicalknowledge became an integral part of a broader programme tounderstand upper mantle processes through the study of diamondsand their mineral inclusions. This life-long collaboration providedcarbon isotope information on diamonds of different varieties, sizes,shapes and colours, from all the operating mines in southern Africaand some mines in West and East Africa. The work presented in thisissue of Lithos, on the newly opened Damtshaamine in Botswana, wasthe final locality to be considered in this programme, begun all thoseyears ago. Peter's interests also extended to carbon and oxygenisotopes in mantle xenoliths, other mantle minerals, such as graphite,carbonate and moissanite, and mantle fluids, such as CO2 and CH4.

Peter's ideas were not always immediately accepted by hisscientific colleagues and such differences of opinion at Conferencesand elsewhere, lead to meaningful and lively discussion. His long heldview was that it was not necessary to invoke subducted organicmatter to account for the often wide variation noted in the carbonisotope values, particularly of eclogitic diamonds. Instead, he believedthat the often distinct isotope reservoirs, identified from thediamonds, were solely a product of mantle heterogeneity.

Peter was treasurer of the Geochemical Society of America from1981 to 1988, and for the responsible financial structures he created,was awarded an Honorary Life Membership.

To have known Peter was a real privilege. This modest, gentle andmost pleasant man, utterly dedicated to his work, was an exceptionalgeochemist and will be sorely missed.

Peter is survived by Melissa, his wife for 36years.

Jeff HarrisDepartment of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow,

Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United KingdomCorresponding author.

E-mail address: Jeff.Harris@ges.gla.ac.uk.

Thomas StachelDepartment of Atmospheric and Earth Sciences, University of Alberta,

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E3