Memorial to Max Gregg White 1916-1975

JOHN A. REINEMUNDU.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 22092

Max Gregg White, a member and Fellow of the Geo­logical Society of America for more than twenty years, died in Arlington, Virginia, on January 22, 1975, at the age of fifty-eight, ending a remarkable career in the international program of the U.S. Geological Survey. He left for mankind an impressive example of personal dedication and achievement in developing Earth-science cooperation and international good will.

In the past three decades, the U.S. GeologicalSurvey has conducted a program of technical coopera­tion in more than seventy countries under the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act. This program, which was developed largely through the efforts of William D. Johnston, Jr., and George L. Schoechle, focused on the strengthening of geological institutions and

programs in the less developed countries and utilized the talents of many Survey geologists. Max White was associated with this program for most of his professional career and became one of its most successful project leaders. He organized and con­ducted innovative projects in Brazil and Pakistan, and he had a prominent role inshaping the philosophy and methods used by the Geological Survey in helping geologicalinstitutions abroad.

Max’s interest and effectiveness in technical cooperation were an outgrowth of his early upbringing. He was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, November 3, 1916, of Baptist missionary parents, the Reverend Maxcy G. White and Kate Cox White, and received his early education, literally, at his mother’s knee. Much of his early schooling was his mother’s tutoring, and the close family relationship that developed in those early years continued throughout his life. Max grew up in Brazil and acquired an intimate under­standing of the country and its people that was unmatched by any other North American geologist. He did not live outside Brazil for any extended period until 1934, when he enrolled at Missouri Junior College in Kansas City. Thereafter, he attended Furman University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in 1938; the University of Iowa, where he received a master of science degree in 1940; and the University of North Carolina, where he undertook graduate studies in geology from 1940 to 1942. After three years in the U.S. Army, serving with the Signal Corps in France, he joined the U.S. Geological Survey and remained continuously with the Survey until his death, except for a year of additional graduate study from 1947 to 1948 at Johns Hopkins University.

During his early years with the Survey, Max worked on trace-elements and strategic minerals investigations in Alaska. These investigations, which involved work under dif­ficult field conditions, gave Max excellent operational experience for his later assign­ments abroad. They also left him with a slightly crippled hand, the result of an injury incurred while he was repairing his jeep in a remote area of Alaska.

Because of his knowledge of Brazil, fluency in Portuguese (his first language), and experience in trace-elements investigations, in 1952 Max was assigned by the Geological

2 THE G EO LO G ICA L SOCIETY OE AM ERICA

Survey to organize and direct a national survey for radioactive minerals on behalf of the government of Brazil and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. This project involved a reconnaissance of all Brazil (most of which was little known geologically at that time), and it gave Max knowledge of Brazil’s geography and geology that matched his previously acquired knowledge of the Brazilian people. The project was carried out by the Geological Survey from 1952 to 1956, in cooperation with the National Research Council of Brazil, and from 1956 to 1960, in cooperation with Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN). Eight U.S. geologists and more than thirty Brazilian scientists participated in the project; local support was provided by the National Depart­ment of Mineral Development (DNPM). The project resulted in the preparation of more than seventy reports that identified the possibilities for radioactive minerals in Brazil and established targets and guidelines for the subsequent investigations carried out under the CNEN.

The radioactive-mineral project was the start of a long association with the Brazilian geological community, during which Max was intimately involved in the development of Brazil’s geological institutions and programs. In 1958, after the radioactive-mineral project was well advanced, Max transferred to a geological education project to help establish geological departments at Brazilian universities. This project, conducted by the Geological Survey in cooperation with the Brazilian Ministry of Education and Culture, involved the services of twenty-eight U.S. and Brazilian scientists who served as instruc­tors at the Universities of Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Recife. Under this project Max served on the faculty at the University of Recife from 1958 to 1960, along with John Stark, with whom he formed an intimate lifelong friendship. In 1960, because of student unrest at Recife, both Max and John transferred to the geology faculty at Sao Paulo, and shortly thereafter Max returned to Washington, D.C. As an outgrowth of the education project, the geological profession was officially recognized in Brazil; in 1965, within a few years after the project ended, the output of qualified geologists from Brazilian universities had risen to more than 100 per year.

To my delight, near the end of 1960, Max was assigned to help me expand the Geological Survey’s cooperative program in Pakistan, which had already been underway for several years. This program, sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Develop­ment (AID), was being enlarged to provide assistance to the Geological Survey of Pakistan in all essential operations, to prepare a new geological map of Pakistan, and to make an initial assessment of Pakistan’s mineral resources. From 1961 to 1965, the program grew to involve an average of more than 30 U.S. specialists and 100 Pakistani scientists each year. Max arrived in Pakistan in 1961 as my deputy in charge of geologic field operations, and for the next three years he and I were associated in the conduct of the program. It was during this period that I came to appreciate Max’s ability to organize geologic work, his steadiness under pressure, and his unfailing good humor. When I left Pakistan at the end of 1963, Max took over as chief and managed the program with great skill to its conclusion in 1965.

When Max returned to Washington in 1965, it was expected that he would remain for some time in the United States to have a respite from the stress of foreign program management and to become reacquainted with the domestic operations of the Geological Survey. However, his respite lasted less than a year. AID decided to sponsor a major new program of assistance, requested by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy, and it was necessary to call on Max to help establish this new program. In 1966 Max went back to Brazil to begin the long process of consultation, negotiation, and planning required to achieve an agreement on a broad program of cooperation.

The cooperative agreement with the Brazilian Ministry that Max helped to establish

M EM ORIAL TO MAX G REG G W HITE 3

is the broadest and most complex international agreement in which the U.S. Geological Survey has been involved. It was a logical extension of the Geological Survey’s coopera­tive program in Brazil, underway continuously since 1941, and it has become the longest continuous program of bilateral cooperation in geology. That the agreement was con­cluded was largely a result of Max’s detailed knowledge of Brazil and also his persuasive­ness, perseverance, and critical assessment of the needs and limits of the participating agencies of both governments. This agreement involved four agencies within the Ministry—the National Department of Mineral Development (DNPM), the National Department of W ater and Energy (DNAEE), the Company for Mineral Resources Inves­tigations (CPRM), and the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN)—in a complex multidisciplinary program of demonstration, consultation, and training activities, extend­ing over an eight-year period. The agreement involved a total of fifteen to twenty individual long-range and short-term assignments by U.S. scientists in Brazil each year and the training of several dozen Brazilians in the United States.

After concluding the new agreement, Max remained in Brazil to supervise imple­mentation of the program. This required the full use of his very considerable talents for organization, coordination, and diplomacy, because it was necessary that he not only direct the activities of the U.S. personnel assigned to the program but also adjust the program to meet the varying requirements of and structural changes within the Brazilian agencies involved. It was during this period that Max cemented his close personal ties with many of the Brazilian scientists and formed exceptionally effective working relation­ships with the officials of the Brazilian agencies, through the Brazilian coordinator of the program, Joao Batista de Vasconcelos Dias.

In the long history of cooperation between the U.S. Geological Survey and Brazilian agencies, initiated during World W ar II by William D. Johnston, Jr., and carried forward by John Van N. Dorr II, Alfred J. Bodenlos, and many other Survey and Brazilian geologists, a special relationship of mutual understanding and respect has developed. This relationship, which is a major benefit of long-range technical cooperation, was immeasurably strengthened through the efforts of Max White during his many years in Brazil. After he returned to the United States in late 1972 (turning over the Survey’s responsibilities in Brazil to his capable deputy, S. Anthony Stanin), Max continued to work on summary mineral-resources reports, based on his work in Brazil, until his death. Even during his final months of life, when illness progressively reduced his stamina, he continued to work on his reports with the same dedication that marked his entire career. The preparation of the last of these summary reports (which have been “best sellers” in the minerals economics field in Brazil) left him no time to write the book he often talked about—with his wry humor intending to call it “Little Known Facts about Brazil that People Will Never W ant to Remember.” His stoic acceptance of his grave illness and calm determination in the face of it continually inspired the admiration and affection of his colleagues.

In 1942 Max married Helen Louise Royall of Arlington, Virginia. Helen was a close companion and a source of great strength to Max throughout his career. The White residence, both in Brazil and in Pakistan, frequently was a temporary home for one or more guests, and many hundreds of geologists were entertained by Max and Helen at these posts abroad. Helen continues to live in the residence she and Max bought in Arlington, adjoining the residence of Helen’s mother, where many of the effects and mementos from their overseas assignments are retained.1 Max is also survived by his parents; by his sister in Miami, Florida; and by his brother in Pocatello, Idaho. Also

1 Since th is was w ritten , Helen m arried G len F . Brow n, U.S. Geological Survey, an d resides in R eston , Virginia.

4 TH E G EO LO G ICA L SOCIETY OE AM ERICA

surviving is his “adopted” Brazilian brother, Enoch Sampaio, who was raised as a mem­ber of Max’s family.

In addition to his affiliation with the Geological Society of America, Max was a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, the Geochemical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Brazilian Geological Society. He was also a member of the Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C., and the Lions Club in Rio de Janeiro. Max was the author and coauthor of a number of published scientific reports, and although he would have preferred more field assignments, he prepared more than ninety administrative reports during his work abroad. His principal contributions to geology, however, were in stimulating the work of geologists in other countries, in fostering geological cooperation between geologists in the U.S. and abroad, and in estab­lishing a standard of excellence in the management of cooperative projects.

Perhaps no other geologist involved in the U.S. technical assistance program has had a greater perceptiveness of the human factors involved in the transfer of technology or a greater ability to stimulate genuine cooperation with counterparts. If Max had any problem in his management of technical assistance, it was that his long service abroad gave him a better understanding of the needs of his counterpart agency than he had of the capacity of his parent organization. Nevertheless, his ability to interpret the view and desires of his counterparts, especially in Brazil, was of great value to the Geological Survey and other United States agencies. His long association with Brazilian geologists resulted in deep affection and esteem for Max within the Brazilian geological community and recognition in the form of requiem masses organized by the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy at Recife, Sao Paulo, Bahia, and at the Church of the Candelaria in Rio de Janeiro on February 21, 1975.

His contributions to geology, to the Geological Survey, and to the United States’ relations abroad are well stated in the following excerpt from the Department of the Interior’s Meritorious Service Award presented to Max on December 20, 1974. "His recognized scientific competence, mature judgment, and linguistic capability have con­tributed materially to the success of technical assistance and training programs. His poise, objectivity, and personal dedication, sometimes under trying conditions of political and social pressures, have enabled him consistently to carry out his duties with outstand­ing success and to set the highest standards in representing the Survey, the Department, and the United States.”

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF M. G. WHITE

1947 (and Eardley, A. J.) I-'Iysch and molasse: Geol. Soc. A m erica Bull., v. 38, no. 11, p. 979-989.1952 Reconnaissance for radioactive deposits along the upper Porcupine and lower Coleen

Rivers, n o rtheastern Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 185, 13 p.------- R adioactivity o f selected rocks and placer concen tra tes from n o rtheastern Alaska: U.S.

Geol. Survey Circ. 195, 12 p.------- (and o thers) P relim inary sum m ary o f reconnaissance fo r u ranium in Alaska, 1951: U.S.

Geol. Survey Circ. 196, 17 p.------- (and West, W. S.) The occurrence o f zeunerite a t B rooks M ountain, Sew ard Peninsula,

Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 214, 7 p.1953 (and W est,W . S., and M atzko, J . J .) Reconnaissance for radioactive deposits in the vicinity o f

Teller and Cape N om e, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, 1946-47 : U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 244, 8 p.------- (and others) R econnaissance for radioactive deposits in th e n o rtheastern part o f th e Seward

Peninsula, A laska, 1945-47 and 1951: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 250, 31 p.------- (and Killeen, P. L.) R econnaissance for radioactive deposits in th e low er Y ukon-K uskokw im

highlands region, Alaska: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 255, 18 p.

M EM O RIAL T O MAX G R EG G WHITE 5

------- (and Stevens, J. M.) R econnaissance for radioactive deposits in th e R uby-P oorm an andN ixon F ork d istricts, w est-central A laska, 1949: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 279, 19 p.

------- (and W est, W. S.) R econnaissance fo r uran ium in the Lost River area, Sew ard Peninsula,Alaska, 1951: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 319, 4 p.

1954 (and Killeen, P. L.) G ran t C reek area, Chap. B, in Reconnaissance fo r radioactive deposits in eastern in terio r Alaska, 1946: U.S. Geol. Survey Circ. 331, p. 33 -36 .

------ (and W edow, H., and o th e rs) R econnaissance for radioactive deposits in east-cen tral A laska,1949: U.S. G eol. Survey Circ. 335, 22 p .

1955 Alguna tipos de jazidas uraniferas: E ngenharia, M in e ra ^ o e M etalurgia, v. 21, no . 125, p. 219-221 .

1956 U ranium in th e Serra de Jacob ina , s ta te o f Bahia, Brazil: In te m a t. Conf. Peaceful Uses A tom ic Energy, G eneva 1955, P roc ., v. 6, p. 140 -142 .

1957 U ranium in th e auriferous conglom erates at th e Canavieiras gold m ine, sta te o f Bahia,Brazil: E ngenharia, Minera<jao e M etalurgia, v. 26, no . 155, p . 279 -2 8 2 .

------- Uranio nos conglom erados auriferos da m ina de ouro de Canavieiras, estado da Bahia,Brasil: R io de Janeiro , C onselho Nac. Pesquisas, l i p .

------ U ranium in th e m arine phospha te deposits near R ecife, sta te o f P ernam buco, no rth eastBrazil: E ngenharia, Mineraijao e M etalurgia, v. 27, no. 160, p . 209 -2 1 0 .

------- Uranio nos depositos de fosfato m arinho perto de Recife: Brazil Com m . Nac. EnergiaNuclear Bull. DM P/G1, 6 p.

1959 Excursao geologica no N ordeste: Clube M ineralogia Jo m ., v. 1, no. 2 -3 , p . 1 7 -20 .1961 Origin o f uranium and gold in th e quartzite-conglom erate o f the Serra de Jacob ina , Brazil:

U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 424-B, p. B8-B 9.------- (and Pierson, C. T .) Revision o f th e geology o f d iam ond d istricts in Bahia, Brazil: U.S.

Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 424-D , p. D 2 11-D 213 .1962 M inerais de u ran io e to rio , in Leinz, V ik to r, and Cam pos, J . E . de S., G uia para d e te r­

m i n a t e de m inerais (M ineral determ inative tables, 3rd . ed .): Sao Paulo , Brazil,Univ. Sao Paulo, p . 115 -133 .

1963 (and M atzko, J. J ., and A srarullah) A m inim um program for m ineral resources evaluation , in N atural resou rces-M inera ls and m ining, m apping and geodetic c o n tro l-C o n f. A pplica­tio n Science and T echnology B enefit Less D eveloped Areas, Geneva, 1963 , U.S. Papers, v. 2: W ashington, D .C., U.S. D ept. S ta te , p. 118 -1 3 1 .

------- (and Nelson, A. E ., and M atzko, J. J .) R ad iom etric investigations along th e T ay lo r H ighwayand p art o f th e T anana River, A laska: U .S. G eol. Survey Bull. 1155, p . 7 7 -8 2 .

------- (and Stevens, J. M., and M atzko, J. J .) R ad iom etric traverses along th e Y ukon River fromF o rt Yukon to R uby, A laska, 1949: U.S. G eol. Survey Bull. 1155, p. 8 2 -89 .

------- (and Klinger, F . L., and R einem und, J. A .) G eology o f the iron deposits o f Pakistan, inSym posium o n iron o re, Iran , 1963: Isphahan, T u rkey , Central T reaty O rganization (CENTO), p. 101-111.

1964 U ranium at M orro do V en to , Serra de Jacob ina, Brazil: U .S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1 185-A,18 p.

1973 A rou n d u p o f 21 m ineral exp loration program s in Brazil: Eng. and Mining Jo u r., v. 174, no. 5, p. 72-76 .

1974 Tin resources o f Brazil: U.S. G eol. Survey O pen-File R ep t. 74-333.------- T ungsten resources o f Brazil: U .S. G eol. Survey O pen-File R ep t. 74-332.1975 N iobium (C olum bium ) and tan ta lu m resources o f Brazil: U.S. Geol. Survey O pen-File

R ep t. 75-29.------- A lum inum resources o f Brazil: U.S. G eol. Survey O pen-File R ept. 75-30.------- C opper, lead, zinc, an tim o n y , and arsenic in Pakistan: U.S. G eol. Survey O pen-F ile R ep t.

75-162.------- (and Nagell, R. H.) Lead an d zinc resources o f Brazil: U.S. G eol. Survey O pen-F ile

R ep t. 75-49.------- (and Pierson, C. T .) A sum m ary o f radioactive m inerals investigations in B razil, 1 9 5 2 -1 9 6 0 :

Brazil D ept. Nac. P ro d u 9ao M ineral (in press).

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