Contributions to the tribute of Currie Palmer

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Greg Johnston posted a condolence

Friday, September 2, 2022

I had Dr. Palmer as a professor when I was in the Geophysics program at Western in the 80's. I always enjoyed his classes, teaching style, passion and sense of humour. Reading his obituary, I had no idea all the other things he did behind the scenes but I am not surprised. A life well lived. My condolences to the family and his colleagues. Greg Johnston BSc. Geophysics 1988.

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Hiedi and Bill Vamvalis lit a candle

Sunday, August 21, 2022

We have wonderful memories at Mykonos of Currie and Marguerite. Our condolences to Marguerite and family. Hiedi and Bill Vamvalis

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Marguerite Kane Posted Aug 22, 2022 at 1:14 PM

Hiedi and Bill - thank you so much. I was so touched to see this message. We loved you and the ambiance you created in your lovely Mykonos. Marguerite

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Henry Halls posted a condolence

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Currie was an old friend and scientific collaborator from the eighties. We spent many weeks together over the span of perhaps five years studying the paleomagnetism of 2.45 billion year old Matachewan dykes along Hwy 101 in the Kapuskasing area. We wrote two papers showing that the magnetic polarity of the dykes was related to crustal uplift, dykes within the uplifted belt of crust known as the Kapuskasing zone having a normal polarity and dykes outside having mainly older reversed polarity. These key papers ultimately led to further work with my graduate student Baoxing Zhang in which the polarity of 100's of dykes was recorded, not only in the Kapuskasing zone but across the southern part of the Canadian shield and showed that the polarity (and degree of hydrous alteration) was not only related to crustal depth, but that the Shield had been gently tilted towards the south over a wide area. Currie was thus instrumental in this pioneer study of dykes but who also showed that feldspar became more clouded the deeper the dyke was emplaced, a special feature of the dykes within the Kapuskasing zone. Thank you Currie for being such a memorable and collegial research colleague and one who's friendship over the years I will always cherish. Henry Halls Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

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Marguerite Kane Posted Aug 22, 2022 at 1:16 PM

Thank you Henry, I know Currie valued your friendship highly, and I understand that the research you refer to had a very receptive audience Marguerite

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Steve Hicock posted a condolence

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

My condolences to Marguerite and family. I knew Currie since 1977 when he let me use his paleomagnetism lab to analyze some of my PhD thesis samples. He gave me great advice and even joined me for fieldwork on Vancouver Island in December 1978. Currie also stayed overnight with my parents in Vancouver during our return to Western. After I was hired by the Department of Geology, we would meet often while walking on Western’s campus. Currie would always stop to ask about my parents and share information. When I retired, I chose a desk near Currie’s in the Emeritus room where we often reminisced. Now I walk past his desk covered in journals, books, and papers and I miss him. He was my advisor, colleague, and friend. Steve Hicock, Professor Emeritus

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Marguerite Kane Posted Aug 22, 2022 at 1:19 PM

Thanks Steve for posting this. It was quite a shock. He appreciated the collegiality of the department and chatting with people. I can't quite face his desk yet! Marguerite

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Maureen Carroll posted a condolence

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Sincere condolences. Currie will be sadly missed for conversations sat on the bench outside Ken's shed in Woodbridge, UK. Ken and Maureen Carroll.

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Marguerite Kane Posted Aug 22, 2022 at 1:21 PM

Thanks Maureen and Ken - he was looking forward to coming over and chatting on that bench Marguerite

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Cheryl Ketola posted a condolence

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Dear Marguerite, Eric and I are in shock. Currie was a wonderful, kind person and such a great neighbour. Whenever we speak of our time as his neighbour it brings a smile to our faces. Just the other day we were talking about Currie's reaction when Eric brought his first truck home. Currie was up in the cab investigating everything and asking questions with the enthusiasm of a little boy. The afterglow. Cheryl

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Marguerite Kane Posted Aug 22, 2022 at 1:23 PM

Thanks so much Cheryl - yes, it was a shock. I had chatted with him the night before. What is your e-mail? I can just imagine him looking at all the bells and whistles in the truck! Marguerite

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Alan Tomlin posted a condolence

Saturday, August 13, 2022

My condolences to you, Marguerite, and the Currie family........Alan

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Marguerite Kane Posted Aug 22, 2022 at 1:25 PM

Thanks Alan, So nice of you to post this. Yes, it was quite a shock. I had spoken to him the evening before; he seemed fine.

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Mike Huffman posted a condolence

Saturday, August 13, 2022

I was the chief flying instructor at the London Flying Club of Canada and got to know Currie and C-GGVL over the years. He was truly an aviation enthusiast and always greeted everyone with a friendly smile. I am so glad that he was able to learn to fly, realize his dream to become a pilot and see parts of our beautiful country from the air. My condolences to Marguerite and the family, may his memory be a blessing (the poem ‘High Flight’ brings me to tears too).

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Peter Stewart posted a condolence

Friday, August 12, 2022

My sympathies to Marguerite and Currie’s family for his sudden departure. He kindly served on my PhD examination committee because of his knowledge of Appalachian Geology and not my application of geophysics. Currie was always an engaging and engaged person in B & G Building who I always enjoyed our encounters in the hall or at Middlesex. RIP.

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Bill Morris posted a condolence

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Currie was the ultimate gentleman!!! I arrived at Western In 1974 as a new Postdoc... Currie at the time was on sabbatical at Liverpool. I had free reign of his lab and the Princeton spinner for nearly a year. Then he arrived back in Canada with the Triumph Spitfire that he had bought while in England. I hadn't quite destroyed his lab but it was not quite the same as when he had left for Liverpool !!! We worked out how to share the space. Memories of Currie... It has to be the field trip we went on to collect samples for his incredible paper on the Sudbury dikes. So many things went wrong on that trip but Currie fired up his pipe and we carried on. But the paper that came out of that work is a key reference for any studies of the geology of the North Shore of Lake Ontario. After I left Western, Currie was always there to provide support and help. Especially he was there when I needed help the most. He was a humble, honest, hard working scientist. Bill Morris

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Deana Schwarz posted a condolence

Thursday, August 11, 2022

My deepest sympathies go to Currie's family and friends. I have the fondest memories of Currie as a professor. He was always exceptionally kind, wise, and caring. He would attend student defenses whether he was involved in the research or not, and took genuine interest in what students had to say. I am happy that our paths crossed and will always remember him warmly.

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The family of Currie Palmer uploaded a photo

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

WHEN DEATH OCCURS

Currie Palmer