John Robert Van Pelt

Background

Pelt, John Robert Van was born on April 2, 1896 in Denver, Colorado, United States. Son of John Robert and Ellen Russell (Warren) Van Pelt.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Cornell College, 1918; Doctor of Science, Cornell College, 1942; Bachelor of Science, Michigan College Mines (now Michigan Technological U.), 1922; Engineer of Mines, Michigan College Mines (now Michigan Technological U.), 1923; Doctor of Laws, Chicago Medical School, 1957; graduate study geology, University of Chicago, 1926-1928; honorary alumnus, Berea College, 1987.

Career

Engaged in mining industry as mucker, tracklayer, motorman, surveyor, and mill hand, 1919-1921; successively instructor, assistant professor, professor geology, Cornell College, 1922-1928; also executive secretary, Cornell College, 1922-1923; ranger-naturalist, National Park Service, 1926; teaching fellow geology, University of Chicago, 1926-1928; assistant geologist, Illinois State Geological Survey, 1927; associate geologist, Illinois State Geological Survey, 1928-1929; chief division geology, mining and metallurgy, Museum Science and Industry, Chicago, 1928-1930; assistant director, Museum Science and Industry, Chicago, 1930-1940; technical director in charge planning and design of exhibits, Museum Science and Industry, Chicago, 1940-1945; chairman public relations committee, Battelle Institute, Columbus, Ohio., 1945-1951; also director research education and in charge Battelle research fellowships, Battelle Institute, Columbus, Ohio. president, Montana School Mines, Butte, 1951-1956; director, Montana Bureau Mines and Geology, 1951-1956; president, Michigan Technological U., Houghton, 1956-1964; chancellor, Michigan Technological U., Houghton, 1965-1966; president emeritus, Michigan Technological U., Houghton, 1966-1991. President Western Society Engineers, 1936-1937. Director Detroit & Northern Savings & Loan Association, 1960-1972, member Executive Committee, 1968-1972.

Member Montana delegate Western Interstate Common for Higher Education, 1951-1956. Expert consultant on technical personnel War Department, 1942-1943. Chairman Secretary Interior's Survey Committee on United States Geological Survey, 1953-1954.

Associate American advisory council United Nations U., Tokyo, since 1984.

Achievements

• John Robert Van Pelt has been listed as a noteworthy University president by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Life trustee Cornell College Served private to Second lieutenant Field Artillery United States Army, 1918-1919. Fellow American Association for the Advancement of Science (past member of council). Member American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Engineers (life.

Director 1941-1947, vice president 1944-1947, chairman mineral industry education division 1954-1955), American Society Engineering.Edn., Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (formerly Engineers Council for Professional Development 1954-1966), Great Lakes History Society, Explorers Club New York, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Theta Tau, Gamma Alpha, Tau Beta Pi.

Connections

Married Frances Church, December 27, 1929 (deceased August 1978). Children: Peter, Richard Warren, Ellen Morgan (Mistress Ivan Price).

Father:

John Robert Pelt

Mother:

Ellen Russell (Warren) Van Pelt

Spouse:

Frances Church

child:

Richard Warren Pelt

child:

Ellen Morgan Pelt (Mistress Ivan Price)

child:

Peter Pelt