Princeton Weekly Bulletin June 7, 1999

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Obituary

Sheldon Judson, 80, Knox Taylor Professor of Geology, Emeritus, died on May 19.

A member of the faculty since 1955, he was especially interested in the relationship between the geosciences and archaeology. He was the author of numerous geoarcheological reports, including several studies of paleo-Indian sites in North America, as well as studies of late paleolithic rock shelters in France. He also worked extensively on Etruscan, Roman and Greek sites in Italy, and he recently completed a manuscript on the geology and geography of Morgantina, an ancient Greek provincial city in Sicily he first visited in 1959.

A member of Princeton's Class of 1940, Judson began graduate studies at Harvard University but interrupted them to serve in World War II. Discharged in 1945 from active duty in the US Navy Reserve, he completed his PhD in 1948 and began teaching at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Seven years later he joined the Princeton faculty as associate professor, and he was appointed to the Taylor Professorship in 1964. Chair of his department from 1970 to 1982, he was chair of the University Research Board with the rank of dean from 1972 to 1977. He transferred to emeritus status in 1987.

Judson was the author or coauthor of a series of widely used textbooks, including eight editions of Physical Geology (1954 to 1990, first with L.D. Leet, later with M.E. Kaufman) and, most recently, Earth: An introduction to Geologic Change (1995, with S.M. Richardson), in addition to many other publications.

Throughout his career, Judson worked to improve science education at all levels. With the support of the National Science Foundation, he developed an introductory high school course that integrated the study of geology, physics, math and cartography. As emeritus professor he worked with the Teacher Preparation Program to create summer workshops in geology, biology and math for elementary and middle school teachers. His latest project fostered a network of elementary school teachers in Princeton, Lawrence, Ewing and Trenton. He also assisted his wife, archeologist Pamela Judson-Rhodes, in her survey of Southern Etruria, Italy.

Judson is survived by his wife; daughters Stephanie, Lucy and Anne; six grandchildren; four stepchildren; and six step-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on June 9 in Taplin Auditorium. Contributions may be made to the Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, PO Box 6063, Watertown, NY 13601.