Eugene Hinman ’52

Eugene “Gene” Hinman ’52, William Harmon Norton professor emeritus of geology, died Dec. 29, 2017, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Hinman taught at Cornell from 1956-58 and 1960-95, following in the footsteps of his mentor, geology professor Herb Hendriks ’40, who had replaced Norton (Class of 1875) himself.

After completing his degree at Cornell, Hinman received his master’s degree from Washington State University and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Iowa. He spent two years in the U.S. Army in Japan, then was offered the position at Cornell. He specialized in marine geology and became a member of the initial generation of faculty to teach at the Gerace Research Centre on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. After his first class there he literally wrote the book—a teacher’s guide —to San Salvador.

After retirement, he and his wife, Dorothy Boden Hinman ’53, volunteered with the Red Cross on local and national disaster teams. Later, they volunteered at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, the Cedar Valley Humane Society (where Gene served on the board), and St. Luke’s Hospital.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, two sons, and a grandchild.