Bernold M. "Bruno" Hanson, a past president of AAPG and holder of AAPG's highest honors, died Thursday, April 13, in a hospital in his hometown of Midland, Texas. He was 71.
Hanson, who had been battling various medical problems for several years, died following lung-related surgery.
Hanson, an AAPG member since 1954, had been a consulting geologist and president of his own independent Hanson Corporation in Midland since 1960. He began his career with the U.S. Geological Survey in North Dakota as a student employee, then spent two years with Magnolia Petroleum (Mobil) in Midland in the early 1950s.
From 1955-60 he worked for Humble Oil & Refining Co. (Exxon), working as district geologist in New Orleans and Midland, and as the geologist in charge of Humble's Alaska project.
A native of Mayville, N.D., Hanson received his bachelor's degree in geology from the University of North Dakota; his master's in geology from the University of Wyoming; and in 1987, an honorary doctor's degree from the University of Wyoming.
He was continually active in AAPG activities almost from the moment he became a full Active member in 1957. His AAPG service record, listing his committee involvement, award recognition and officer terms lists more than 50 entries.
Included in that were two stints on the AAPG Executive Committee, first in 1973-75 as secretary, and then in 1986-87 as AAPG president. He received an AAPG Distinguished Service Award in 1981, honorary membership in 1984, certificates of merit in 1987, 1991 and 1994, and the Sidney Powers Memorial Medal, AAPG's highest honor, in 1996.
He also was also a founder and first president of the Division of Environmental Geosciences, and a DEG honorary member, in addition to being active in and honored by a number of professional and civic organizations.