Wilfred “Bill” Bryan
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former employee Wilfred “Bill” Bryan on February 4, 2025, at his home in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He was 92.
Bill was born in 1932 in Watertown, Connecticut, to Wilfred Sr. and Faith (Bassett) Bryan.
A global expert on volcanology, he spent his career exploring the world to advance our knowledge of the earth’s geological history. He freely imparted that knowledge in equal measure to his scientist colleagues in classrooms around the world and to his family and friends on frequent wilderness excursions together.
Bill began his career at WHOI in 1970 as an associate scientist in the Biology Department. In 1976, he was promoted to an associate scientist with tenure. In 1982, he joined the Geology and Geophysics Department as a senior scientist. He left in 1994.
A true Renaissance man, he was a world explorer, an accomplished artist, an expert sailor and a skilled craftsman boat-builder. In addition to his contributions to earth science, he’ll be remembered by his creations. These include his many works of art, from his Herreshoff-inspired sailboats to oil and watercolor paintings of his beloved New England and his adopted home in the Southwest.
With his wife Carolyn they traveled the world, partnering on his geological research expeditions. They both enjoyed the great outdoors and stayed active well into later years, exploring the Maine coast in Ariadne, their 29′ trawler, and hiking and skiing all across the mountains of the Southwest. Together they were actively involved in numerous nature conservancy efforts, including the Friends of the Coronado Monument in New Mexico.
He was predeceased by Carolyn, his wife of 68 years, and is survived by his children, Richard (Francie Chew) Bryan, Phil (Kathy) Bryan and Cyndi (Jesus) Apodaca; five grandchildren, Laura (Michael Ellison) Bryan, Peter Bryan, Michael Apodaca, Daniel Apodaca and David Apodaca.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Donations can be made in Bill’s memory to: Macular degeneration research: The American Macular Degeneration Foundation www.macular.org or Stroke research: The American Heart Association www.stroke.org
Information for this obituary is from the French Funeral Homes & Cremations website