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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Department of Geology and Geography
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Robert Behling

"Dr. Bob" Behling

In Memoriam, 1941-2023 — Emeritus Professor of Geology

Categorized As

Geology,In Memoriam

“It's a great day for a field trip!”

He joined the Department of Geology and Geography at West Virginia University in 1971 and enjoyed teaching and engaging with students until his retirement in 2017 as a Professor Emeritus. He was instrumental in the development of the department's undergraduate program in Environmental Geoscience. Fondly known as "Dr. Bob" to his students, he often joked that by the end of his career, he taught more students (thousands) overall at the university than the populations of some of the State's smaller counties. He fully embodied his mantra "It's a great day for a field trip!" and never missed an opportunity to turn any outdoors adventure into a lesson on geology. He served as Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs, was on the Faculty Senate, and was on the university's Athletic Council.

Dr. Bob led field trips for multiple iterations of RockCamp I and II, followed by III, IV, V, several Falls & Fossils Trips, 20 years of WVSTA field trips and one Keynote on his research in Antarctica, NAGT-ES field trips, four seasons of Geology Telecourses, six ESS Passport Field trips, and trips with Marion County teachers to Canadian Rockies, the Bay of Fundy, the Cascades, the Smoky Mountains, Connecticut Valley, Snake River flood basalts, Arizona, Colorado/New Mexico, Outer Banks, and Tour of Great Lakes, (to name a few).  It is estimated that these events impacted over 1,000 K-12 teachers during his career.    His wide breadth of knowledge, easy-going nature, warm sense of humor, and ability to tell a story engaged teachers across WV.  He was known for his red suspenders, white shirt, and khaki pants, a quick wit, warm laugh, and the uncanny ability to know a good ice cream/custard place near any field stop.

Education

  • BS degree, geology and math   University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 1963
  • MS degree, geology  Miami University of Ohio, 1965
  • PhD degree, geology   The Ohio State University, 1971
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