Richard Huston Durrell, age 79, Professor Emeritus of Geology at the University of Cincinnati and well-recognized expert on the glacial and Pleistocene geology of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Tri-state region, died 6 June 1994 in Cincinnati, OH. Professor Durrell was honored with awards for his excellence in the teaching of geology, for his leadership in conservation work in Ohio, and for his contributions toward the preservation of natural areas in Adams, Champaign, Hamilton counties, and elsewhere. He joined The Ohio Academy of Science (1954) and affiliated with the Section of Geology, was elected a Fellow (1959), served as vice president of the Section (1959-1960), and participated as a visiting scientist (1967). Born 1 December 1914 in that portion of Cincinnati known as Avondale, Richard Durrell, the son of Amy F. and Huston Durrell, dedicated his life to teaching, to geology, and to preserving our natural world. His entire academic career was spent at the University of Cincinnati, from his bachelor's degree (1936) to his retirement as full professor (1985). He served as acting head of the Department of Geology on two occasions (1954-1955 and 1962-1963), but preferred to devote his academic energies to the classroom, once the temporary administrative need was past. That he was a consummate teacher is exemplified by his receiving from the National Association of Geology Teachers the Neil Miner Award for excellence in teaching (1972). More important, in his mind, was the long line of students whose names were recorded in four decades of class lists. Prior to joining the faculty of the University of Cincinnati, Richard Durrell served in the U.S. Army (1941-1945). Much of his service was with a special company attached to General Eisenhower's European headquarters, where he was an expert in geology and aerial photography. This unit did map-work for upcoming military operations. Richard Durrell and his wife, Lucile, were ardent conservationists well before those pursuits became fashionable. For 17 years he was a Commissioner for the Hamilton County Park District. He was one of the founders of the Cincinnati Nature Center and served as its first president, was an early member of The Nature Conservancy and served as a trustee of the Ohio Chapter and on the national board of governors, and was appointed to Ohio's Natural Areas Council and became its vice-chairman. Service was a hallmark of Richard Durrell. He was a member of the Ohio Environmental Task Force of the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Cincinnati Magazine's Advisory Committee, the Citizens Advisory Board of the Ohio River Basin Commission, the Environmental Advisory Council of the City of Cincinnati, and the Advisory Board of the Miami Purchase Association, to name a few. Nor were these mere honorifics; he was an indefatigable leader and worker. Richard Durrell was a member of a host of scientific societies: the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Geophysical Union, American Society of Photogrammetry, Geological Society of America, National Association of Geology Teachers, New York Academy of Science, and was elected to Sigma Xi. Richard Durrell very much preferred to get a good job done well than to collect honors. Even in the Army he refused several appointments to officer candidate school, preferring his significant work as a cartographer. More than a few of the readers of these words will recall, with respect and fondness, instances of the myriad times he provided support—moral, intellectual, spiritual, and even financial—to worthy people and projects, and yet insisted on anonymity. Nonetheless, honors came. In 1974, Richard and Lucile Durrell were presented the American Motors Conservation Award. That same year, John Gilligan named Richard to receive the Governor's Award for Community Action for his leadership and tireless efforts to save Ohio's Cedar Bog from becoming a victim to a proposed highway project. In 1975, Richard and Lucile were given the President's Award for Excellence by the University of Cincinnati. Later that year, Richard was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science by Wilmington College. He was named to the Ohio Conservation Hall of Fame (1985) and received two medals in conjunction with Cincinnati's Bicentenary (1988). More lasting for the future are the Richard and Lucile Durrell "Edge of Appalachia" Nature Preserve in Adams County, the Richard and Lucile Durrell Museum in the Department of Geology at the University of Cincinnati, and the Richard H. Durrell Trail in Sharon Woods, Hamilton County. Richard Durrell is survived by his wife, Lucile, numerous cousins, his scientific and academic colleagues, and generations of students and other citizens who long will continue to benefit from his good teaching, his good science, and his good works. 

Richard Arnold Davis

The Ohio Academy Of Science Report Of The Necrology Committee, 1994