Daniel Tearpock

Daniel J. Tearpock

HOUSTON, TX - On Sunday, February 9, 2014, Daniel J. Tearpock passed away peacefully in his Houston home surrounded by family, following a three year battle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves behind a substantial personal and professional legacy, and will be missed by his family, many friends and professional colleagues, and students of geology around the world.

Daniel John Tearpock was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania on August 31, 1948 to parents Laura-Nita (Tiberi) Tearpock, Mocanaqua, and the late John G. Tearpock Jr. He graduated from Newport High School in 1966, and married Paula Shultz in 1969. The couple went on to have two daughters: Nicole and Danielle. While the couple divorced they remained close and continued as business associates until 2012.

Dan graduated from Bloomsburg University in 1970 with a B.A. in Earth Sciences, and returned to school for his Master's Degree in Geology from Temple University (1977). By 1985, Dan was a Senior Geologic Engineer with Tenneco Oil Company in Lafayette, La. In 1988, Dan formed Subsurface Consultants & Associates, LLC which quickly grew into an international consulting and training firm with multiple branch offices. At the same time, Dan's Applied Subsurface Geological Mapping book grew in recognition, becoming a Prentice Hall Technical best seller in 18 months.

Over the course of his career, Dan was active in professional associations, a frequent public speaker and author of technical papers, and enjoyed significant industry recognition, including in later years receipt of the DPA Heritage Award, nomination to the Bloomsburg University College of Science and Technology Advisory Board, and the AAPG Honorary Member Award.

In 2011, Dan married Diana Poon and welcomed Cindy Au as his step-daughter.

In addition to his success as a geologist, Dan had many outside interests. To help pay for college he opened a taekwondo studio and was a kick boxer. In the 1990's he was a body builder and participated in several competitions. He played multiple instruments, composed music, was an artist and self-published a science fiction novel. The Tearpock Family band traveled and played all over the state of Pennsylvania.

Dan was active in public life, and gave generous donations of time and resources to social and political causes about which he was passionate. He sponsored numerous children through the Christian Children's Fund. He also funded the Daniel J. Tearpock Scholarship at Bloomsburg University. His final years were enriched by ever growing commitments to service, particularly to fellow pancreatic cancer patients, and his Catholic faith.

Dan was a dedicated family man who never missed a track meet, softball game, dance team function, band concert or piano recital. He is survived by his mother, Laura-Nita Tearpock of Mocanaqua, PA; wife Diana Poon Tearpock of Houston, TX; his daughters Nicole McMorris-Lavergne and Danielle Lavergne of Broussard, LA, and step-daughter Cindy Au of Houston, TX; four grandsons, Tyler McMorris, Justin, Jonathon, and Jesse Hitt; and one great-granddaughter, Nena Belle Hitt.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the Mayo Funeral Home, Inc., 77 N. Main St., Shickshinny, PA followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Mocanaqua. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Ascension Cemetery, Mocanaqua. Visitation will be Monday from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. Memorial services will also be held at a future date at the Catholic Charismatic Center, 1949 Cullen Blvd., Houston TX. Details of those services are pending; please check http://scacompanies.com/djtmemsvcs/ for the most updated information. Dan and his family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please use tribute #35296595 or DANIEL TEARPOCK when donating. For additional information, or to send condolences, please visit www.mayofh.com.