With great sadness, we announce the passing of Fr. James Skehan, S.J., our department's founder

The Boston College community, and particularly the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, is saddened by the loss of an extraordinary Jesuit, Fr. James Skehan, S.J., who passed away on November 1, 2020 at the age of 97. Fr. Jim, as he was known by everyone, founded the Department of Geology at Boston College in 1958, which later became the Department of Geology and Geophysics before changing to its current name, the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Fr. Jim was an internationally-known geologist, a popular teacher, a prolific author, a much sought-after speaker and a spiritual guide to many.

Fr. Jim’s geology books are the Roadside Geology of Massachusetts, The Roadside Geology of Connecticut and Rhode Island and Puddingstone Drumlins and Ancient Volcanoes: A Geologic Field Guide Along Historic Trails of Boston. His books on spirituality include Praying with Teilhard de Chardin and Place Me With Your Son: Ignatian Spirituality in Everyday Life. He was the author of numerous book chapters, scientific papers, technical reports and general interest writings. He worked on improving geology education at the university as well as at the K-12 level. Some of Fr. Jim’s early geology work in New England paved the way for geologists to accept the theory of plate tectonics in the 1960s, a theory that today underlies all of the work done in the geological sciences. Fr. Jim also authored several papers on the compatibility of religion and the scientific theory of evolution, a topic which he was uniquely suited to write about.

Fr. Jim was especially devoted to his students, many of whom still kept in touch with him as much as 50 years after graduating from Boston College. Stories abound among his students of interesting adventures on geology field trips, and professional geologists always knew that they had a special treat when Fr. Jim signed up for one of their outings. Fr. Jim officiated at the weddings of numerous students, baptized their children and presided at funerals. He was energetic, gregarious and outgoing, with a great sense of humor. He will be truly missed by persons near and far.