Gene Ludger LaBerge

I am, of course, late in this tribute as I only recently learned of his passing. Gene was absolutely one of a kind. His knowledge and commitment were peerless. I learned more from Gene in a single field trip than I did in a semester of classes. I also learned something more than geology from Gene (though for some, they may ask, is there more?): It was the lesson of persistence in all facets of life. He talked me off the cliff in preparation for my Wisconsin Academy talks, and gave me sound...

Dr. Gene LaBerge was simply the main reason why geology became my lifetime career, starting with his mineralogy class in 1966. He was my mentor in school and also my mentor with Bear Creek mining in 1968 in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the search for VMS deposits

My professional career as a geologist is winding down now after 43 years, but it began in 1973 in a class called Mineralogy taught by Prof. La Berge. What a truly inspirational man he was as he assisted so many of us in those early, formative years in a young man's life choices. His legacy continues in those of us who call ourselves geologists.

My sincere condolences. I am from the Class of 1984. . I worked for the department most of this time including the most interesting part -which was as a teaching assistant to Dr. LaBerge's Mineralogy and Lithology labs.

I remember entertaining him as I put trays of samples together for each student throughout these courses. When a student was getting good/cocky while presenting a tray-identification report to Dr. LaBerge... I would be sure to challenge them in their future trays......

Sally,
I'm just reading about Gene's passing. Dr. LaBerge was a major influence and a good friend during my four years in the department. I enjoyed the times we played guitars together. I'm so sorry he's gone. I owe much of a successful career in geology to him. I hope you get this message. Class of 1976.

Gene and Sally have been among our all-time favorite people, since we first met them in the rockhound community. They were regular attendees, sometimes house guests, for our annual local (Heart of Wisconsin Gem and Mineral Society) Show, and Gene was at various times a displayer (spectacular tourmalines etc.), speaker, and always great company. We were deeply saddened to hear of Gene's passing, and our sincerest sympathy goes out to Sally and their family. We already missed seeing them at all...

There are only a handful of instructors I credit for making me the scientist and geologist I am today. Dr. LaBerge was one of them. He was an inspiring scientist, teacher, miner, campfire minstrel, and mineral wizard. He loved studying the earth and loved teaching others about it even more. I've caught myself so many times during my career saying Dr LaBerge taught me that.

From him I learned about the amazing and deep history that formed the Upper Midwest. I try to explain to...

I was one of Gene's students and advisees in the early 1970's. His passion for geology was contagious. I had a work study job coloring the geologic maps he worked on over the summer. There were more colors than pencils, so some had to be blended. I most remember him bringing cookies for a final and inviting our class to his home at the end of the school year and seeing the fireplace he made out of banded iron formation. He and Sally were very gracious and Sally was the only female...

Gene was one of the first friends I made when I moved here from Kansas City in 1971. I learned a lot from him and enjoyed the field trips, classes, and visiting his home and family. Despite his brilliance and stature in the geology field, he was a regular guy and quite approachable. He will be missed by all who knew him. Sally and family, my condolences.