Memorial to James Lewis Calver1913-1994

Jam es Lew is C alver, retired com m issioner o f M ineral Resources and state geologist o f Virginia from 1957 to 1978, passed away Thursday, December 22, 1994, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lela Mynatt, and his stepson, Grant Eddy. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Slavin Calver; two sons, James Stevan Calver o f Savannah, Georgia, and Lewis Edward Calver of Dallas, Texas; and eight grandchildren.

O f English descent, Jim was bom on June 15, 1913, in Pontiac, M ichigan, the son o f William and Emma C.(Stever) Calver. He was educated in the public schools of Pontiac and received degrees in geology at the University of Michigan—A.B. in 1936, M.S. in 1938, and Ph.D. in 1941; and a degree in business adm inistration prior to 1941. During the academic years 1940-1942 he held an instructorship at the University of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas, where he taught economic geology and mineralogy. The following year he held an assistant professorship at the University o f Missouri, Columbia. From 1943 through 1947, Jim was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, Regional Products Research Division, as a geologist. From 1947 to 1957, he was an economic geologist with the Florida Geological Survey. On May 1, 1957, Jim was appointed the first commissioner of the Division of Mineral Resources (formerly the Virginia Geological Survey) and the sixth state geologist.

The development of the Division of Mineral Resources over the 21 years o f Jim's tenure reflects his accomplishments. He guided rebuilding of the organization into what became one of the outstanding geological surveys in the United States. This achievement was a marriage of cooperation among colleagues and the excitement of pioneering new geological programs in Virginia. The honeymoon lasted for nearly two decades. Jim was a self-starter, a doer. With unceasing purpose, he worked quietly in the background, focusing on all aspects o f scientific acquisition and presentation of new data and of operational management.

The administrative nightmare of most state geologists is funding of their agencies to meet investigative, reporting, and service obligations. This was and is a matter o f enlightenment to the chronically uninformed. State geologists are individuals, and Jim was no exception. He invited the deputy director of the department to an annual meeting of the Association of American State Geologists. Upon being exposed to energetic work sessions and good fellowship, the deputy made the observation, “These gentlemen are without peer.” They had no equals. Sometimes Jim's persistence was successful. He jokingly compared this good fortune to Lewis Carroll's “The Hunting of the Snark,” in which the Bellman said, “W hat I tell you three times is true.” Jim was often clustered with various friends at professional or administrative meetings, enjoying and exchanging information and stories. Not infrequently, the stories had a point with a chuckle or two.

Jim was one to encourage thinking and would show, by example, the nine-dot puzzle. This was an innovative means to work around the conventional approaches to problems. When talking to Jim, almost always you would come away with useful information, often imparted with your benefit in mind. He loved the English language and the illustration of ideas. Indeed, he was

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the consummate editor. The editorial genes allowed him to instantly find deviations, the correction of which provided necessary clarity. He noted that an accurate cross section would result in a useful geologic map. Jim sought facts, not fiction. There may have been a secret passion to teach. He would often use odd bits of paper to form unusual geologic structures or simply to illustrate how to format publications and reports.

Jim inherited the Division of Mineral Resources at what was possibly the nadir of its administration. With formal training as a geologist, a background in business administration, and experience in geology and survey operations, he was able to “hit the ground running.” Initially, Jim set about developing programs, establishing procedures, reorganizing records, and setting up repositories, while maintaining the day-to-day services to Virginia residents and industries. Aside from geological endeavors, one of the major contributions he made to Virginia was the topographic mapping program. A 10-year plan to complete topographic map coverage of the state was initiated. This was a cooperative program between the division and the U.S. Geological Survey. He acquired support from the press, the Department of Highways, State Chamber of Commerce, numerous public officials, and the Virginia Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs. The governor supported the program in his inaugural address. By November 1972, Virginia became the tenth state to have complete detailed 1:24,000-scale topographic map coverage. In a press release, the program was described as "an outstanding example of Federal-State cooperation in efforts aimed at helping to solve complex resource and environmental problems." Jim did not stop there. Immediately initiated was an extended agreement to update the older maps by means of a revision program through use of aerial photography. In response to this activity, federal mapmakers initiated several pilot programs that resulted in the application of the innovative products of orthophotoquads, slope maps, and orthophotomaps to Virginia. A first-of-its-kind sales index map and catalog was made to portray availability of state maps.

Also in the beginning, and most importantly, Jim initiated the first 1:24,000 detailed geologic quadrangle mapping program for Virginia. This ambitious endeavor had as its chief purpose development of information around expanding urban and suburban areas, identification of potential mineral resources, and recognition of possible sequential land use. As mapping progressed, it became Division of Mineral Resources policy to investigate adjoining quadrangles to provide a continuity in rock correlation and structure. Jim pushed for attention to geologic mapping in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions of the state which had long been neglected in favor of the Valley and Ridge part of Virginia. Heretofore, unrecognized structures and formations were identified, opening the way to more realistic interpretations for application to construction and raw mineral resources for building and industrial products. In 1963, the first 1:24,000-scale geologic quadrangle map was published by the division. During the ensuing period of 15 years, 75 quadrangles depicting 4000 square miles were distributed for public and private use. Early on, Jim initiated repository collections for borehole samples, economic mineral and formation rock samples, and fossils. These were reference collections that consulting and industrial geologists, as well as staff geologists, could use in their work. He had the division library revitalized by bringing order to the existing holdings and had modem references and pertinent journals added to these holdings.

The first geophysical surveys contracted for the state were made at Jim's request. He always had a fascination for new ways to develop and depict data that enhanced ongoing geologic and mineral resource investigations. From 1962, regional aeromagnetic surveys were flown, resulting in verification of obscured geologic structures and in delineation of features sketchily identified or previously unknown. By 1972, approximately 28,000 square miles were flown, about 70% of the state. In a nonfunded cooperative arrangement, the Division of Mineral resources and the U.S. Geological Survey published the first aeromagnetic map of Virginia in

MEMORIAL TO JAMES L. CALVER 45

1978. Jim initiated the first statewide gravity study; the first regional report was distributed in 1971. The project was completed in 1977 with the publication of a gravity map of Virginia. Again, new discoveries were made. A major northeast-trending anomaly, possibly related to structure or mineralization, was identified. Buried rock surfaces under the Coastal Plain sediments were found to have greater relief than was previously suspected. Finally, he arranged for the first aeroradiometric surveys in the mid-1970s, thus providing a means to monitor natural radiation at the earth's surface. All three of these remote-sensing-type surveys were supportive of geological and mineral resource studies. He started the first seismic program for the division, which later was keyed into the national network to pinpoint seismic events in Virginia.

The centerpiece of the division's successful progress was its mineral resources program. Jim felt very keenly about identifying the mineral potential and resource application in Virginia. He wanted to bring about an awareness of raw materials used in construction and industrial processes. Initially, he had rock and mineral sets distributed to secondary schools throughout the state; later, formal collections were placed on sale. These sets were an augmentation to maps depicting geographical location of commercial mineral operations and general distribution of mineral resources. Regarding the nonfuel resources, of which there are many, he particularly initiated or promoted studies of clay, shale and related materials, limestones, mica and feldspar, and base- and precious-m etal and related ore deposits. To keep abreast o f industrial development, he started annual visitations to mines and quarries. He had oil and gas records systematized and continually updated. He had the division engage in the Outer Continental Shelf Program and worked with numerous oil companies to form what was eventually a consortium of 31 participants. They joined with the U.S. Department of Interior in drilling a stratigraphic test well that was a control borehole for pending offshore oil and gas exploration. He started the first inclusive regional study of coal beds in all of southwestern Virginia. A two-year grant to collect and analyze coals was negotiated with the U.S. Geological Survey. This effort was extended by submission of division data into the National Coal Resource Data System.

The state ground-water program was the responsibility of the Division of Mineral Resources. Jim had the ground-water records systematized and initiated the collection of ground-water data, including water-well samples. The first priority was given to compiling a general appraisal of ground-water condition in each of Virginia's counties and independent cities. All the while, daily assistance was available to the public and private sectors. He arranged with the Virginia Division of Parks to determine the availability of water for future expansion. He entered into a unique contract with the National Park Service, which solicited the division's aid in making a ground-water study of the Shenandoah National Park. This study helped identify water sources for present and future lodging, campsite, and maintenance facilities.

Jim Calver was active in a number of professional societies, including the Geological Society of America, of which he was a Fellow; the Association of American State Geologists as its editor (1965-1971), president (1975), and later honorary member (elected in 1980); the American Association of Petroleum Geologists; the Mineralogical Society of America as a life member; the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers as chairman of the Southeastern Section of the Industrial Minerals Committee; the American Geophysical Union; the American Ceramic Society; the American Water Works A ssociation; the Appalachian Geological Society; the Virginia Academy of Science; the Geological Society of Washington (D.C.); and the Seismological Society of America. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church.

In the years following 1978, Jim enjoyed retirement, taking the opportunity to travel, in particular to New England and Nova Scotia. He remained an avid reader and pursued some bird-watching. Jim took great pleasure in his wife's artistic talents, which included painting,

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quilting, and nearly every endeavor she put her hand to. Their outings to the local forests and woodlands revealed more than ever that he continued to be a true naturalist.

Jim was, and remains in our memories, one who was genuine, empathetic and fair-minded. Since the beginning of the first geological survey 160 years ago, his tenure was a true renaissance in the Commonwealth's geological service to its people. Virginia was fortunate to have had him.

— CRBH

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY OF J. L. CALVER1940 Roundness of grains in western Michigan sand dunes: Michigan Academy of Science

Papers, v. 25, p. 465-471.1943 Coal investigations near Harriman, Tennessee: Tennessee Valley Authority Commerce

Department, Regional Products Research Division, September.1945 Report on the possibilities of stripmining coal in Tennessee: Tennessee Valley Authority

Commerce Department, Regional Products Research Division, January.----- (with Gildersleeve, B.) Sandstone investigations in Scott and Washington counties, Vir

ginia: Tennessee Valley Authority Commerce Department, Regional Products Research Division, July.

1946 Glacial and post-glacial history of the Platte and Crystal Lake depressions, Benzie County, Michigan, in Occasional Papers for 1946 on geology of Michigan: Michigan Department of Conservation, Geological Survey Division, Publication 45, Geological Series 38, pt. 2, 70 p.

1947 Mineralogy of talc deposits, in Talc deposits of Murray County, Georgia: Georgia Department of Mines, Mining and Geology, Geological Survey Bulletin 53, p. 38-41.

1949 Florida kaolins and clays: Florida Geological Survey Information Circular 2, 59 p.----- (and Vemon, R. O.) Geology, in Titanium minerals in central and northeastern Florida:

U.S. Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 4515, p. 7-8.1951 Geology and location of lime sources in Florida: Soil Science Society of Florida

Proceedings 1951, v. 2, p. 56-60.----- Geology, in Chemical character of Florida's waters — 1951: Florida Water Research

Paper 6, November.1952 (with Reed, A. H., Jr.) The mineral industry of Florida: U.S. Bureau of Mines Yearbook,

v. 3, Area Reports, p. 248-258.1953 (with Gunter, H., and Vemon, R. O.) Interpretation of Florida geology, in Short

contributions to the geology, geography and archaeology of Georgia: Georgia Department of Mines, Mining and Geology, Geological Survey Bulletin 60, p. 40-48.

----- (with Thoenen, J. R.) The mineral industry of Florida: U.S. Bureau of Mines Yearbook,v. 3, Area Reports, p. 283-295.

1954 (with Reed, A. H., Jr.) The mineral industry of Florida: U.S. Bureau of Mines Yearbook, v. 3, Area Reports, p. 303-318.

1955 (with Reed, A. H., Jr.) The mineral industry of Florida: U.S. Bureau of Mines Yearbook, v. 3, Area Reports, p. 297-309.

1956 The fuller's earth industry in the Georgia-Florida district: Mining Engineering, v. 8, no. 4, p. 393-395.

1957 Mining and mineral resources: Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 39, 132 p.------(with Metcalf, R. W., and Otte, M. E.) The mineral industry of Virginia: U.S. Bureau

of Mines Yearbook, v. 3, Area Reports, p. 1137-1159.1958-1967 (with various co-authors) The mineral industry of Virginia: U.S. Bureau of Mines

Yearbook, v. 3, Area Reports (domestic 1963 to 1967).

MEMORIAL TO JAMES L. CAL VER 47

1962 (and Hamlin, H. P., and Wood, R. S.) Analyses of clay, shale and related materials— Northern counties: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Mineral Resources Report 2, 194 p.

1963 (with Pharr, R. F.) Mineral industries and resources of Virginia: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, 1 sheet, scale 1:500,000.

1964 (and Smith, C. E., and Le Van, D. C.) Analyses of clay, shale and related materials— West-central counties: Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, Mineral Resources Report 5,230 p.

1974 New directions in topographic mapping, in Earth science in the public service: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 921, p. 46-48.

1977 (with Zietz, I., Johnson, S. S., et al.) Aeromagnetic map of Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey Geophysical Investigations Map GP-915,1 sheet, scale 1:500,000.

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