MEMOIR OF RALPH STOCKMAN TARR 39 



in his footsteps there are to be named E. H. Whit beck, of the University 

 of Wisconsin; Frank Carney, of Denison University; John L. Eich, of 

 the University of Illinois ; 0. D. von Engeln, of Cornell University ; F. V. 

 Emerson, of the University of Missouri; G. D. Hubbard, of Oberlin Col- 

 lege; G. T. Surface, of Yale University; F. S. Mills, of St. Lawrence 

 University; Lawrence Martin, of the University of Wisconsin, his 

 brother-in-law and associate in his Alaskan work; his younger brother, 

 Eaymond P. Tarr, now a mining geologist. Marvin, the companion of 

 Peary, who lost his life on the memorable polar expedition, was working 

 on a doctor's thesis in glacial geology under Tarr's supervision. 



With all students he was on cordial terms and his house was open to 

 them. On Sunday evenings the homesick college student found there 

 the entertainment, social and substantial, that cheers ; for Tarr knew that 

 the college boy has not only a brain, but a stomach, which calls for re- 

 freshment. As a faculty member he took a lively interest in his college 

 and in the development of his department. 



As a lecturer he spoke without manuscript, but had carefully prepared 

 notes. These were printed for the use of students. One of his students 

 speaks of him as possessing a personal charm of presentation which in- 

 spired and induced hard work in his students. 



In the field he is said to have been even-tempered, brave, running 

 risks to get data, but sensible and moderately cautious. In Alaska his 

 life was in serious danger three times — twice in glacial streams and once 

 from a bear — but he regarded these adventures as part of the day's work. 

 Modest and generous, he felt keenly both appreciation and depreciation 

 of himself and his work; a man with a purpose in life; strong in the 

 elements of human character; and if at times he made what scorned to 

 him enemies, he made and retained friends. 



In his chosen field of physical geography he attained a high rank. His 

 fellows honored him with the presidency of their Society, a post which 

 he held at the time of his death. Gilbert, 5 whose work and opinion he 

 valued highly, in a note appended to the paper on Earthquakes o( Yaku- 

 tat Bay, which went to press after his death, paid him the tribute which 

 was his due in saying: 



"His biography when written will be a record of distinguished achievement 

 in physical geography. The present volume testifies to his high rank as an 

 investigator, and his success was equally marked as a teacher and as an 

 author of text-hooks." 



He was associate editor of the Bulletin of the American Geographical 

 Society and of the Journal of Geography. Be was a Fellow o( this 



6 Professional Taper (50, D. S. Geological Survey. 1912, p. LO. 



