John Splettstoesser of Waconia, Minnesota passed away Monday January 25, 2016 at his home.  John was 82. 

There will be a Memorial Service Friday February 5, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Waconia Moravian Church with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Many of you will remember John from his days here at OSU.  John was Assistant Director of the Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center (then known as the Institute of Polar Studies) from July 1967 through May 1974.  He left OSU to become Co-Director of the Ross Ice Shelf Project (RISP) Office at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.

John, a geologist, worked mainly in Antarctica and received two polar medals for his work there.  In recognition of his work two places bear his name.  The first is Splettstoesser Glacier (79 ° 12′ S; 84° 09′ W) which is a 35-mile long glacier flowing ENE through the Heritage Range to the South of Founders Peaks and Anderson Massif. It was named after John for his participation in the 1961-62 Ellsworth Mountain Party. Twenty years later, Splettstoesser Pass (71° 39′ S; 167° 15′ E) was named for John to acknowledge his role as the USARP (U.S. Antarctic Research Program) field coordinator during the Northern International Victoria Project in 1981-82. 

John had a long work career as a geologist and was a committed polar scientist. Most recently John served as a lecturer/naturalist on more than 100 cruises to Antarctica.

John was a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), the author of ~ 175 publications, Past President of the Antarctican Society, Past President of the American Polar Society (APS) and was still active in APS as the Chair of the Board of Governors.

He was a friend to all, a wealth of knowledge, and always added a positive note to the conversation.   It has been said that he was the kind of man we all strive to be. 

Affectionately known as “Spletts” to many of us, John will be missed!