In Memoriam: Dr. Karl W. Butzer
Dr. Karl W. Butzer was a leading scholar and scientist whose research focused on the nexus of geography, archaeology, and geology. Though his work led him across the globe, Dr. Butzer was based in the Department of Geography and the Environment at UT-Austin from 1984 until his passing in 2016.
Karl Wilhelm Butzer was born in Germany in 1934. His family escaped to England on the eve of World World II, continuing on to Montreal, Canada. Butzer received a B.Sc. in Mathematics and a M.Sc. in Meteorology and Geography from McGill University. He then returned to Germany, where he earned a Doctor of Science (Dr.rer.nat.) in Physical Geography and Ancient History at the University of Bonn in 1957. Over the course of his career, Dr. Butzer taught at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Chicago, and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich. His final appointment began in 1984 as the Raymond C. Dickson Professor of Liberal Arts in the Department of Geography and the Environment at UT-Austin. Over the course of his career, Dr. Butzer received numerous awards and recognitions (including induction to the National Academy of Sciences), published nearly 300 peer-reviewed articles and books, and mentored dozens of students, from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. Dr. Butzer's work was diverse and wide-reaching, both geographically and thematically. He conducted research across the globe, often joined by his wife and research partner, Elisabeth Butzer. From Egypt to Ethiopia, Spain to South Africa, Mexico to the Mediterranean, Dr. Butzer pursued his love of field work and scientific inquiry, investigating human-environment interactions, geoarchaeology, and paleoenvironmental change. He shared his wealth of field experience and knowledge with students and colleagues alike. Those who knew him well cite an insatiable curiosity, a humble demeanor, and a deep respect for the complexity of human society and the natural environment. We can think of no more fitting namesake for our lab space. For more information about Dr. Butzer's life and work, visit:
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Karl Butzer in Philae, Egypt, 1962
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Melka-Kontoure Site, Ethiopia, 1971 (Elisabeth Butzer, far left; Karl Butzer, second from left)
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Karl and Elisabeth Butzer, Newfoundland, 2000
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Elisabeth Butzer receiving the inaugural Karl and Elisabeth Butzer Lifetime Achievement Award in Paleoenvironmental Change from Dr. Timothy Beach, 2017 AAG Annual Meeting, Boston
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Lake Turkana, Kenya, 1968
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