Eugene L. Boudette

GILMANTON ; Eugene L. Boudette, 81, of Province Road, former state geologist, died Nov. 10, at the Concord Hospital. Dr. Boudette was born in Claremont on Aug. 24, 1926, the son of the late William E. and Ida (Young) Boudette. He grew up in Claremont and North Charlestown and graduated from Holden High School in Charlestown in 1944. Following graduation, he entered the Navy and served until 1946. He was trained in aircraft electronics at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla., and served on Saipan, the Marianna Islands and at Quonset Point, R.I. He was awarded the World War II Pacific and American Theater Service Medals and the Victory Medal. Following his discharge, he enrolled at the University of New Hampshire, earning a BS degree in geology in 1951. He accepted a position with the Army Corps of Engineers working on projects in Greenland and around New England, including the construction of Pease Air Force Base. In 1953, he accepted a position with the U.S. Geological Survey which he held until 1985. His assignments included research field investigations on the Colorado Plateau, Washington state, the southeastern states and New England. He participated in the U.S. Antarctic Research Program (1959-60 Birdland Traverse) and for his accomplishments he was awarded the Antarctic Service Medal by the Department of Defense. He was a member of the Apollo Field Geology Investigation team for the Apollo Missions 15, 16 and 17, helping train astronauts to perform geologic sampling on the moon. While working for the Geological Survey, earned his master's degree at Dartmouth College in 1959 and his Ph.D, also from Dartmouth, in 1978. In 1986, he was appointed New Hampshire's state geologist and served in that post until 2000. At that time he was an adjunct professor of geology, Department of Earth Sciences at UNH. During his career he authored or co-authored over 80 geologic publications. Survivors include his wife, Beatrice (Drolet) Boudette of Gilmanton. A daughter, Jennifer Boudette of Boston; a son, Stephen Boudette of Dedham, Mass., and his wife Alexandra and grandchildren Sophie and Vivian; a sister, Norma Principe of Springfield, Mass.; a brother, Earl Boudette of Charlestown. There are no visiting hours. A memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 17, in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, River Road, Pittsfield. Urn burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Mount Calvary Cemetery, Pittsfield. The Perkins & Pollard Memorial Home, Pittsfield is in charge of arrangements.