Gilbert Kelling was a pre-eminent clastic sedimentologist with a long career in teaching, research, and consulting, and was viewed by his peers as an outstanding scientist and field geologist. Gilbert was born in Edinburgh and educated at Boroughmuir High School. In 1955, he gained a First Class Honours degree in geology at the University of Edinburgh. Thereafter, Professor Arthur Holmes appointed him as graduate assistant in geology (1955–1958), during which time he completed a PhD on the sedimentology and stratigraphy of Ordovician turbidite facies from the Rhinns of Galloway.
Left: Gilbert Kelling. Image courtesy of Larry Thomas.
Varied research
In 1958, Gilbert became lecturer in sedimentology at the University College of Swansea, progressing to senior lecturer (1969) and reader (1972). After 20 happy and productive years, he was appointed Professor of Geology and Dean of Science at Keele University, becoming Pro Vice-Chancellor in 1989. On his retirement in 1996, he became Emeritus Professor of Geology. Gilbert was awarded several prestigious appointments including: senior research fellow at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC (1987) and visiting professorships to Cornell University (1982), the University of Nigeria (1985), the Centre Nationale des Sciences de la Mer, France (1988 and 1994), and the Middle Eastern Technical University, Ankara, Turkey (post-1993).
Gilbert’s research centred on sedimentology, stratigraphy, and applied geology, but also on oceanographic studies in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. His enthusiasm for field research took him from the Southern Uplands of Scotland and the South Wales Coalfield to Italy, Morocco, Turkey, and Pakistan. He contributed to a geo-archaeology study in southern Turkey investigating the provenance of ceramic and stone artifacts of Hittite, pre-Hittite, and Bronze age cultures. The result of this varied research led to Gilbert publishing more than 160 articles, book chapters, and abstracts. Throughout his career, Gilbert supervised over forty PhD and nine master’s students.
Services to science
Gilbert sat on the editorial board of publications including the
Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, Sedimentary Geology, Marine Geology and the
Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He served as the editor/co-editor of five research level books. Gilbert’s services to science and academia included being: President of the British Association of Teachers of Geology (1980-1983), Chair of the British National Committee for Geology (1992-1997), and Deputy Chair of the Advisory Committee for Radioactive Waste Management (1992-1995). He also served as the President of the Geology Section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (1989-1990) and the Secretary for External and Foreign Affairs of the Geological Society of London (1990-1994) of which he was a Fellow for 65 years.
Passions and family
In 1996, Gilbert was awarded an OBE for his services to geology and environmental protection. He still found time to attend rehearsals, concerts, tours, and recording sessions with the Morriston Orpheus Choir – a Welsh male voice choir of international reputation. Gilbert died in Royal Stoke University Hospital on 17 August 2024 aged 90. He leaves his wife, Rose, and sons, Stuart and Kenneth, and will be sorely missed by all.
By Larry Thomas and Gareth George