by Carly Orewiler
Dean Carl Presnall — geologist, educator and one of UT Dallas’ founding geosciences professors — died Feb. 3 from Alzheimer’s disease at 87 years old.
Presnall first came to North Texas in 1967 to join the Southwest Center for Advanced Studies, which in 1969 became The University of Texas at Dallas. His research focused on understanding how magma, which feeds volcanoes, is formed by the melting of Earth’s mantle. He helped design and build equipment that could replicate these conditions, including a multi-anvil hydraulic press which reproduces temperatures and pressures as deep as 500 miles below the Earth’s surface.
His early curiosity with geology was kindled by his family’s love for the outdoors. He grew up in Cedar City, Utah near Zion National Park where his father, Clifford Presnall, was a park ranger. His mother, Ruby Presnall, previously worked at Crater Lake and Yosemite National Parks. Achieving Eagle Scout status as a teenager, Presnall graduated from Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and devoted the next ten years to education in science.
Presnall earned his undergraduate degree in geology and mineralogy from Pennsylvania State University in 1957. After pursuing a master’s degree from the California Institute of Technology, he returned to Penn State and received a PhD in geochemistry, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Carnegie Institution’s Geophysical Laboratory in Washington, D.C.
Presnall was an integral part of the Department of Geosciences’ establishment at UT Dallas. In 1999, after 32 years of teaching, he retired as emeritus professor and became a visiting scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D.C., Bayerisches Geoinstitut in Germany and University of Bristol in the U.K.
Dr. David Hyndman, dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and geosciences professor, said Prensall was a trailblazer in both his field and the department.
“He continues to be one of our founding pillars, and we will honor is legacy by teaching students how to protect our natural environment and inspiring curiosity,” Hyndman said. “His passing is a great loss to our university and the scientific community.”
Presnall was a fellow of the American Geophysical Union and of the Geological Society of America. He donated two of his multi-anvil presses to the Carnegie Institution for Science where they are still used by Yingwei Fei’s High-Pressure Laboratory.
Presnall instilled his affinity with nature in his children through backpacking, hikes and travel. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara; two children, Aaron and Eva; and two grandchildren.
Geosciences professor Dr. Robert Stern worked closely with Presnall at UT Dallas for over 15 years.
“Dean loved teaching and researching about the Earth’s inner workings,” Stern said. “His dedication and passion are reflected by the success of his many PhD students.”
Memorial contributions can be made to Doctors Without Borders, Montgomery Hospice or to the UT Dallas Department of Geosciences in his memory.
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