dr Philip A Wannamaker
1954 – 2022 | In Loving Memory
Salt Lake City, UT—On Monday August 22, 2022 Dr. Philip E. Wannamaker, a loving father, partner, brother, and uncle passed away in Salt Lake City, UT. Phil was born on November 24, 1954 to Louise and Clifford Wannamaker in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Phil held a Ph.D. in Electromagnetic Geophysics from the University of Utah (1983) and a B.Sc. in Engineering Geology from Queen’s University at Kingston, Canada (1976).
Phil was active in basic and applied geophysical research in tectonics and geothermal energy for over 40 years, 30+ with the Energy and Geoscience Institute. He was a renowned research professor in electromagnetic geophysics at the University of Utah; publishing 50+ papers and advising 23 graduate student theses. Phil was happiest when he was working out in the field and led international teams in large research projects in US Cascadia, Basin and Range, Southern Appalachia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. dr Wannamaker was an active member of the AGU, GRC, GSA, SEG, and ASEG.
In 2011 Phil was given the great honor of Fellow of the Geological Society of America and was a Trustee and Treasurer for the Gerald W. Hohmann Memorial Trust for Teaching and Research in Applied Electrical Methods. Phil also served as associate editor for several journals and as co-editor of a book on EM modeling and inversion and served on the board of Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology up until his death.
Phil loved traveling all over the world with Barbara his partner of 18 years, and he had a strong affinity for the Southern Utah desert, most particularly Capitol Reef. He was a member of the Native Plant Society, enjoyed developing his own native garden and helping with cultivation and preservation of native plants. He recently compiled and continued to work on extensive genealogy records for the family. Phil’s comprehensive collection of 1800’s maps and lithographs for the railroad survey in Great Basin and Range area will be donated to a local museum for all to enjoy for generations to come.
He is survived by his daughter Alexis Verson (Chris Petersen), partner Barbara Wilson, brother Robert Wannamaker (Karen Pipher, nephew Aidan and niece Emily), the international tribe of geophysicists, and many other family members and dear friends. A celebration of life for Phil will take place on September 4, 2022 in Salt Lake City, UT.
Phil was an avid supporter of our public lands, and any donations in his honor can be directed to the Nature Conservancy or the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.
Published by The Salt Lake Tribune from Aug. 26 to Sep. 6, 2022.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315ATo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Comments are closed.