By Brandon Hollingsworth
Tuscaloosa, AL – Philip E. LaMoreaux, who from 1961 to 1976 served as state geologist and founded a successful geologic consulting firm, is dead at the age of 88.
The Tuscaloosa News reports LaMoreaux died at his home on Monday following a protracted battle with heart complications.
In the decade and a half LaMoreaux oversaw the Geological Survey of Alabama, the state's county geologic mapping project reached its climax and water resources reports for many of the state's counties were prepared.
In 1961, the state's geologic map was terribly outdated and in need of revision. LaMoreaux presided over the heaviest period of large-scale geologic mapping in state history, leading to published maps of 41 of Alabama's 67 counties, along with unpublished manuscripts for the remainder. Those maps made the state geologic map of 1988 - the current iteration - possible.
After stepping down from the Survey in 1976, LaMoreaux continued his work in geology all over the world. LaMoreaux and Associates provides services ranging from archaeology, environmental projects and wetlands mapping to water exploration and engineering efforts.
LaMoreaux earned his bachelor's degree from Denison University in 1943, followed by a master's from the University of Alabama in 1949. He worked for the U.S. Geological Survey before being appointed to head the Geological Survey of Alabama and the state Oil and Gas Board.
A memorial service will be held Saturday in Tuscaloosa.