Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit

SU mourns the passing of Geoffrey O. Seltzer

Thursday, January 27, 2005, By News Staff
Share

SU mourns the passing of Geoffrey O. SeltzerJanuary 27, 2005Edward Byrnesedbyrnes@syr.edu

Geoffrey O. Seltzer, 45, of Syracuse, died Jan. 15, at his home after an 18-month battle with cancer. For the past 11 years, Seltzer was a faculty member in Syracuse University’s Department of Earth Sciences, where he taught quaternary and environmental geology and developed an internationally respected program in paleoclimatological research in the Andes Mountains.

Seltzer was beloved as a warm, gentle and insightful colleague and an intrepid adventurer, who engaged in multidisciplinary research that spanned topics from global climate change in the geologic past to how future climate change may affect future water supplies, particularly in South American Andean nations. The results of his research on the occurrence of El Ni?o in the geological past in the Southern Hemisphere led to major advances in understanding its role in climate change. Most recently, he and his group of colleagues and students were the first team to explore the long-term climate record of remote Lake Titacaca on the border between Peru and Bolivia.

“Geoff was a dear friend, an unselfish highly creative scientist, who made major contributions to our understanding of climate change. Moreover, he had a caring heart, and for this, was loved by everyone around him,” says colleague and friend Donald Seigel, a professor in SU’s Earth Sciences Department.

Seltzer authored more than 40 publications in highly respected scientific journals, was a sought-after speaker at scientific conferences around the world, and ran a broadly funded research program. At SU, he was known for generous mentoring and tactful leadership; most recently he directed the Vice Chancellor’s Environmental SPIRE, an effort to promote interdisciplinary collaboration on environmental research.

“Though very young, Geoff achieved tremendous things through his scientific work, through his warm and sustaining mentoring of many students, and through his leadership in the Environmental SPIRE. Geoff cared very deeply about the quality and the future of The College. We’re all deeply saddened by this loss,” says Cathryn R. Newton, dean of The College of Arts and Sciences and a professor in the earth sciences department.

Seltzer is survived by his wife, Katie Reed; father, George Seltzer; brothers Jonathan, Matthew and Ethan Seltzer, and their families.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. in Setnor Auditorium in Crouse College, on the SU campus.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: Geoffrey Seltzer Fund, YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, 2125 East Hennepin Ave., Suite 150, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

  • Author

News Staff

  • Recent
  • NBA Player Shares Personal Experience With Stuttering With CSD Students
    Wednesday, May 25, 2022, By Dan Bernardi
  • Trustee and Alumnus Larry Kramer ’72 Honored With the Distinguished Achievement Award from SABEW  
    Wednesday, May 25, 2022, By Kelly Homan Rodoski
  • 5th Round of CUSE Grants Awards $510,000 to 31 Projects
    Wednesday, May 25, 2022, By Diane Stirling
  • Matt Cufari Named as a 2022-23 Astronaut Scholar
    Wednesday, May 25, 2022, By Kelly Homan Rodoski
  • Syracuse University Libraries’ New Website Improves User Experience, Accessibility
    Wednesday, May 25, 2022, By Cristina Hatem

More In Uncategorized

Syracuse Views Spring 2022

We want to know how you experience Syracuse University. Take a photo and share it with us. We select photos from a variety of sources. Submit photos of your University experience using #SyracuseU on social media, fill out a submission…

“Can the Working Class End PMC Environmentalism?”

Matthew Huber, professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School, was interviewed for the Diet Soap Media Podcast episode “Can the Working Class End PMC Environmentalism?” Huber, who studies climate politics, discussed his new book that unpacks the failures…

“Governors Island’s New Orchard Is a Treasure Trove of Rare Fruits”

An art installation created by Sam Van Aken, associate professor of studio arts in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, was featured in the Thrillist story “Governors Island’s New Orchard Is a Treasure Trove of Rare Fruits.” Van Aken, who…

“Alexis Patterson has been missing since 2002. Odds are you don’t know her story.”

Research from Carol Liebler, professor of communications in the Newhouse School, was featured in the USA Today story “Alexis Patterson has been missing since 2002. Odds are you don’t know her story.” Liebler studies media coverage of missing children and…

“Even as COVID cases rise, mask mandates stay shelved”

David Larsen, associate professor of public health in the Falk College, was quoted in The Associated Press article “Even as COVID cases rise, mask mandates stay shelved.” Larsen, who is an expert on epidemiology, explained that intense mask mandates will…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2022 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.