Dr. Helmer Ode

ODE, Dr. Helmer Retired geophysicist of Houston and Austin, Texas, died March 16, 2009. He was born August 30, 1918 in Delft, the Netherlands, son of Arend Willem Mauritz Ode and Augusta Carolina Timmer. He is survived by his wife, Wietske Ode Vergeer, and three children, Carla Ode, Victoria B.C., Connie Ode, Taos, New Mexico, and Jan Ode and his wife Barbara Ode and their three children, Kristen and Paul Cox, Andrew and Bradley, Austin, and his sister Dr. Emy Ode, Assen, the Netherlands. He received his Masters in geology from the University of Leiden in 1946 and his PhD. in geophysics from the University of Utrecht in 1965. After four years with Royal Dutch Shell in Holland from 1947 1950, he moved to Houston where he worked at Shell's Bellaire Research Lab from 1950 1982, when he retired. During retirement, he continued with his two hobbies, number theory and the study of shells. He was instrumental in putting together a research collection, the largest of its kind in the world, of mollusks from the northwest Gulf of Mexico, which now resides at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. He was an editor of the Texas Conchologist and a member of the Houston Conchology Society. He was an avid, experienced and respected student of shells and mathematics and will be remembered for his keen and inquisitive mind. Heartfelt appreciation is extended to family, friends and the Hospice Austin team who assisted Helmer during his battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, P.O. Box 1931, Austin, Texas 78767-1931. A celebration of his life will be announced later. Obituary and guest book online at wcfish.com. Arrangements by Weed-CorleyFish Funeral Home, 3125 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78705 (512) 452-8811. 531773