Dr. Gene LaBerge
Dr. LaBerge is still Mr. Wisconsin Geology," although he retired in 1998 after teaching for 33 years in the Geology Department. He continues his field work in the Precambrian of Wisconsin and northern Michigan, sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey. The most recent project involves mapping and studying ejecta from a huge meteorite that landed at Sudbury, Ontario 1,850 million years ago. Fallout extends across Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ontario, and provides a unique “time-line” for correlating rocks throughout the region. His book, Geology of the Lake Superior Region, is currently in its fifth printing.
Gene and Sally continue their lifelong interest in traveling. Since retiring, they have made four trips to Alaska, two to Australia and two trips to Brazil. Their latest adventure was a month long trip to Namibia (in southern Africa) in October, 2007, where Gene and Sally, and several others, were taken on a multi-day trip visiting the alluvial diamond mines in the area by former student, Kakia Kakia (A.K.A Kakia Mathews, a 1986 grad). This was perhaps the most unique and interesting trip they have been on, thanks to Kakia. They also continue to enlarge their collection of fine minerals.
e-mail: glaberge@charter.net