Nicholas Rast: A geologist who straddled the Atlantic but never an issue

Nicholas Rast died in Lexington, Kentucky on 28 August 2001, five months after his retirement as the first holder of the Hudnall Chair of Geology, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Kentucky. Born in Teheran in 1927, his early education was in Iran; his university education from 1948 was at University College London and University of Glasgow. His brilliant career as a university professor and award-winning researcher began in Aberystwyth, University of Wales, University of Liverpool, and continued in North America at the University of New Brunswick, Canada, and at the University of Kentucky, USA. Rast's published research consists of over 100 books and papers as well as abstracts in scientific journals. The abstracts represent topics which Nick Rast and his collaborators presented to participants at scientific meetings, symposia, and conferences; he was never one to let a good idea lie fallow, and I think it is accurate to say that every abstract evolved into a published paper. Wherever Nick worked he became deeply involved in influential activities of the geological societies of the country and in so doing left his imprint on the policies of these societies in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Mexico, Canada and the United States. The organization of this retrospective deals generally with the chronology of Nick Rast's life and career. It includes a selection from among his most significant peer-cited reviewed publications, all of which are listed at the end of this chapter. From this list I have attempted to highlight some of the most important ideas contained in these publications. In addition I have interspersed a few colorful reminiscences by Nick's many friends, colleagues, and former students. These recalls were part of my “Rastfest” retirement banquet illustrated lecture which is now available on the Kentucky departmental website.