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From an SFA yearbook.
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May 1, 2006. The SFA Geology Department has lost a good friend, esteemed colleague and benefactor in the passing of Martin J. Deuth, 91. After a long career as a geologist with Shell Oil Company, Mr. Deuth joined our geology department and shared his wealth of knowledge with a generation of SFA students. He is fondly remembered by them and his companions in the department. Faculty member Patricia Sharp recalled, "He was my instructor in 2 classes, and I have always considered him to be a legend! He knew 'a lot about a lot' -- which is uncommon for most of us!"
Before leaving Nacogdoches Mr. Deuth established a scholarship fund that has helped many of our geology majors. We extend our condolences to his family and celebrate a life lived full and well.
Below is Mr. Deuth's obituary from the Indianapolis Star newspaper.
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Martin John Deuth, 91, of Avon, Indiana, passed away following a battle of several years with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
Martin was born May 24, 1914 and raised in Forreston, IL. His father, John Frederick Deuth, owned and operated the local hardware store while his mother, Ethel, was a cook, seamstress and homemaker. Following graduation from high school, Martin attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN. He participated in sports, waited tables in one of the housing units, maintained a Rector Scholarship and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in geology in 1936. From there he went to the University of Illinois and worked as a graduate student assistant while earning his Master of Science. He graduated in 1938. He worked as a geologist for Shell Oil Company and was stationed in Texas, Mississippi, Florida, The Netherlands, New York, Wyoming and Colorado. At age 55, after 30 years with Shell, he retired in 1968 as Senior Geologist.
Martin and Mary Jane Lewis of Gonzales, TX married in 1939 and had sons born in 1941 and 1945. The entire family made all the previously mentioned moves until sons John and Allen left home for college.
In 1968 Martin and Mary Jane moved to Nacogdoches, TX where he taught geology at Steven F. Austin State University for 17 years. He retired from this second career as a Professor Emeritus at age 72 but remained in Nacogdoches until the end of 2003. At that time he and Mary Jane moved to Avon, IN, where they have been near son John and his family.
During his lifetime, Martin was an avid reader and student of virtually any subject; especially geology, the Civil War, WWII, politics and horticulture. He always maintained an immaculate yard and had a gorgeous rose garden for over 30 years. Martin was also active in his Presbyterian Church as an elder and deacon. He spent many years actively involved in Boy Scouts as his sons participated in the same. He was an Explorer Scout Advisor for several of those years. Additionally, he was very active in civic and community affairs as well as a member of several professional affiliations including the AIPG (charter member), AAPG, RMAC, Sigma Xi, AIME and the SFA Faculty Senate. Martin's life is best summarized by his devotion to God, family and country plus giving 100% to any endeavor he pursued while maintaining his integrity at all times.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary Jane Lewis Deuth; sons Allen L. and John B. Deuth; daughter-in-law Elwanda Johnson Deuth; two grandsons, Kevin M. and Derek J. Deuth; and four great grandchildren, Jessica Marie, Katherine Claire, Amanda Nicole, Derek Jr. (residing in and around the Indianapolis area). Additional survivors include his brother John Eakle Deuth, sister-in-law Barbara, and nieces Deborah, Linda Deuth and Janet Deuth Bowers.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the SFASU Foundation-M.J. Deuth Scholarship Fund at Steven F. Austin University, Officer of University Advancement, P.O. Box 6092, Nacogdoches, TX 75962; or the National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Ave. Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494; or the Alzheimer's Disease Research Foundation, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., P.O. Box 1950, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950. www.hamptongentry.com
(The Indianapolis Star; published at http://www.indystar.com)
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