Akiho Miyashiro

Miyashiro, Akiho ALBANY Akiho Miyashiro died unexpectedly Thursday, July 24, 2008. He is survived by his daughters, Yumiko and Keiko Osawa and her husband Ushi, both of whom live in Japan; and his younger brother, Hayao and his children. He lived a happy life with his beloved wife Fumiko Shido together for 45 years and here in Albany for 38 of those years. Born October 30, 1920, he was the elder son of Miyashiro Tsunemoto and Hideyo, in the city of Kasaoka, Okayamo Prefecture, Japan. After graduating from Seijo High School in 1941, he studied at the Geological Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Tokyo and got a bachelor of science degree in 1943. He was given a Fulbright Scholarship and from 1952-1953 studied in the graduate course of Harvard University. In 1953, he got a doctor of science degree from the University of Tokyo. From 1958-1968, he was an associate professor in the University of Tokyo. From 1967-1970, he was a visiting professor of Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University in N.Y. From 1970-1990, he was a professor of geology at State University of New York, Albany, and in 1991 until present time, was a Professor Emeritus at SUNY. In the 1950s, he became famous as a researcher of mineralogy and, in the 1960s, he established his name as a world famous metamorphic petrologist. He was a plate tectonic pioneer, defining the concept of paired metamorphic belts (high-pressure and low-pressure) that represent island arcs or orogenic mountain belts of continental rims, and unified metamorphic petrology and tectonic movement of ocean spreading. He published numerous original research articles and is one of the most referred scientists. He also wrote many important geological books, some of them being translated into Russian, Chinese and German. "Metamorphic Petrology" and "Metamorphism and Metamorphic Belts" are among these books that became classic textbooks. In 1965, he was invited as a visiting international scientist from the American Geological Institute and gave lectures to many universities through the United States, including Berkeley, Calif. He was given many prizes through his research, Geological Society of Japan in 1958; Arthur L. Day Medal of the Geological Society of America (one of geology's highest honors) in 1977; Paul Fourmarier Medal of the Royal Academy of Science of Belgium in 1981; P. Bose Memorial Medal of the Asiatic Society (Calcutta, India) in 1985; L.A Spendiarov Prize of the 29th International Geological Congress in 1992; Manjiro Watanabe Prize of Japanese Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists in 1995 and the Japan Academy Prize of the Japan Academy in 2002. He was a life fellow or honorary member/honorary fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America, Geological Society of London, Geological Society of America, Geological Society of Japan, Geological Society of India and American Association for the Advancement of Science. Beside research works, he was an extensive reader of philosophical and social science books, and especially in his later years, he enjoyed hiking, photography and gardening. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial wake on Thursday, July 31, 2008 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, N.Y. Those wishing to remember Akiho in a special way may send contributions to a charity of your choice.