Richard Rezak

1920 ~ 2006 RICHARD (DICK) REZAK, 86, passed away Friday, November 10, 2006 in Houston, Texas. He was born on April 26, 1920 in Syracuse, New York. While working on his undergraduate degree at Syracuse University he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was commissioned as an instrument flight instructor in 1943. At the end of World War II he retired from Active Duty and returned to Syracuse to complete his education. He remained in the Naval Reserves and retired as a Commander in 1964. After earning his PhD in Geology from Syracuse in 1952, he accepted employment with the U.S. Geological Survey and moved his young family to Denver, Colorado. In 1958 he accepted a research position with Shell Development Company in Houston, Texas. In 1967 he joined Texas A&M University as the Head of the Geological Section of the Oceanography Department. In 1991 Dr. Rezak was awarded his Professor Emeritus status. During his career he was a consultant to various academic and industrial institutions on oceanographic matters and a prolific author who has been published in international geological and oceanographic journals. He led numerous research projects for the Bureau of Land Management, the Office of Naval Research and the National Science Foundation. He remained active in many professional and civic organizations, including the Geological Society of America (Fellow), American Society of Petroleum Geologists, The Society of Exploration Paleontologists and Minerologists, American Association for the Advancement of Science (Fellow), College Station Lions Club, and Service Corps of Retired Executives. After retiring, he traveled the world. He especially enjoyed attending annual reunions with his Navy 13C Squadron buddies. Other passions included fishing, photography, opera and listening to classical music. Although he battled with his health toward the end of his life, he never lost his sense of humor, the mischievous twinkle in his eye or his zest for life. Dick is survived by his daughter Christine Barker of Houston, Texas, his granddaughter Christy Lynn, numerous nieces and nephews, and special friend Susan McGrail. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on November 18 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in College Station, Texas. Flowers gratefully declined in favor of donations to the Alfred State College Development Fund and designated for the Rezak Family Scholarship, c/o Office of Institutional Advancement, Alfred State College, Alfred, NY 14802. Hillier Funeral Home