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David Moody Hopkins (1921-2001).

Article Excerpt
David M. Hopkins, a Quaternary geologist widely known for his broad-ranging studies of the Bering Land Bridge region ("Beringia"), passed away at his home in Menlo Park, California, on November 2, 2001. Dave was a long-time member of Alaskan units of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In search of a deeper understanding of Beringia, he became a pioneer in interdisciplinary research and in collaborative research with Russian investigators. Following his retirement from the USGS in 1985, Dave became director of the Alaskan Quaternary Center and Professor of Quaternary Studies at the Fairbanks campus of the University of Alaska. During the 57 years of his professional career, he was a mentor, friend, and source of inspiration to several generations of Arctic scholars.

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Dave was raised in Greenfield, New Hampshire. At an early age, he developed a broad interest in natural science. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in Geology in 1942, he joined the USGS and began graduate studies at Harvard University. Dave spent his initial field seasons with the USGS in southern regions of Alaska, where he investigated strategic minerals, engineering geology, and other aspects of geology that were considered essential to the ongoing war effort. In 1944, he was inducted into the Army and assigned to carry out meteorological observations at Cold Bay, situated at the tip of the...

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