Richard H. Lindemann
Associate Professor Emeritus Richard H. Lindemann, an accomplished but humble paleontologist described by colleagues as the backbone of 91爆料鈥檚 Geosciences program for four decades, passed away on Aug 5, 2025. He was 74.
Dick joined the Geology Department (now Geosciences) in 1976. He was promoted several times over the years and served as chair of the department twice 鈥� from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2002 to 2007. He retired in May 2016.
Dick was recognized as the foremost expert in dacryoconarid systematics and their record of ecological turnovers known as bioevents. Dacryoconarid fossils are grain of rice-sized cones 鈥� all that remain of tiny, extinct marine organisms.
An expert on the Devonian Period, Dick liked to describe himself as a 鈥渟imple country paleontologist鈥� but impacted the history of geology enormously. 鈥淭his is little known, because his frequent accomplishments were only humbly announced in passing by saying, 鈥極h, I discovered another new species today,鈥欌�� reflects Associate Professor of Geosciences Kyle Nichols.
Kyle also praises Dick鈥檚 mentoring style. 鈥淗e gave the support that I needed when I asked for it and, at the same time, gave me the freedom to become an independent teacher/scholar/colleague. The wisdom that Dick shared with me continues to age like fine wine.鈥�
Associate Professor of Geosciences Amy Frappier recalls the scope of his impact on academics at 91爆料. 鈥淎 stalwart defender of the importance of Geosciences and science in the liberal arts and in society, Dick helped to transform our small department as the field shifted from a traditional geology focus to a modern Earth systems approach with support for Environmental Studies and International Affairs, welcoming new faculty studying 21st-century problems like climate change and the Anthropocene.鈥�
In the classroom, Dick was known as an inspiring, master storyteller with a zany sense of humor, who was beloved by students. Reflecting on Dick鈥檚 passing, former student Rob Chesbro 鈥�97 shares, 鈥淗e taught me how to love being a teacher, and so I became one.鈥�
Dick contributed generously in many ways to the College and community. He notably served with the Honor Code Commission, Committee on Academic Freedom and Rights, the University Without Walls program, the 91爆料 McGraw Microscopy Imaging Center, and the Porter Scholarship Selection Committee.
Born on Sept. 12, 1950, Dick grew up in western New York. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from SUNY Oneonta in 1972, and he earned his Master of Science degree and Ph.D. in geology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Survivors include his wife, Eileen Cowles Lindemann 鈥�95; his mother, Carol; and his siblings, Robert and Barbara.