Dr. Gerald W. Hohmann, 51, an internationally recognized geophysicist and professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Utah, died May 23, 1992, after a long illness.
He had been a member of the U. faculty since 1977 and received a Distinguished Research Award from the U. in 1991. He was regarded as one of the world's leading authorities in the theoretical and numerical application of exploration geophysics. One of his colleagues said he exhibited that perfect balance between a world-class scientist and excellent university instructor.Dr. Hohmann was a native of Harmony, Pa., and graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1962. He received his master's and doctorate degrees from the University of California at Berkeley in 1967 and 1971 respectively.
He was a commissioned officer with the U.S. Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey from 1962 to 1964 and served as a research geophysicist with Kennecott Copper from 1964 to 1977.
Dr. Hohmann had conducted research throughout the western United States, in Alaska and Canada. He was a popular student lecturer and presented many talks to professional societies.
He received many other honors during his lifetime, including the year's most outstanding paper in the "Geophysics" journal in 1975 and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists best research paper in both 1971 and 1988. He won the Department of Geology and Geophysics' outstanding teaching award in 1981 and its outstanding research award in both 1982 and 1989 while at the U.
His 1991 Distinguished Research Award came because of his work in electromagnetic theory, mathematical geophysics, inverse theory and mineral exploration techniques.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 29, at 10 a.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 569 S. 1300 East.