Memories of Mel Guestbook

Condolence entries will be added as they are received. All who knew Mel are welcome to share via the guestbook form.

Annular eclipse image by Gunjan Sinha

My condolences to Mel's family, to me he was a professor, a mentor and a friend and like all of you, I will miss him greatly. - John Pearson

I'm so happy to have met you in the last few years and learn so much about meteorites, Canada and your numerous trips to chase the eclipse (and wines ^^), but also from your humanity. You shared your knowledge and science to so many people and discovered beyond what you could never expected. From a small town in Alberta you moved around the world and enlarge you family with your kindness and humor! ^^ Thanks Halloween boy :) 

-David Boulesteix

I want to tell Shan and the families that everyone felt that Mel was a larger than life figure everywhere he went and we loved that about him.  We are so very grateful to have been a part of his life.  Love to all of you.  - Chantal Strachan-Crossman

My deepest  condolences to the family and friends of Dr. Mel Stauffer. 

I feel very grateful for the years I spent learning from a such a brilliant Professor as waded through the world of physics and geology. 

Mel was both a friend and mentor to all of those open to his guidance and direction.  Mel, you were a such positive influence in both my life and my career the past 26 years. Unless a mentor truly takes time to know his students, this would have been possible.  Mel sat with me so many times throughout my tenure as a student, listening and evaluating each of our future potential, as we blindly explored our careers post university. 

Mel pushed me towards exploration saying that was were I belonged, He knew I loved the hunt. Mel - you were spot on.

He influenced the direction I pursued after that. That kind of direction is only possible because Mel both cared about his students, but also took the time to understand each of us. He knew my path before before I even entered the world as an exploration Geologist. 

You will be missed by not only myself, but by decades of students that you helped guide as our mentor, our professor, and the steward of our careers.

With gratitude. You will be dearly missed Mel  but also greatly celebrated by Ore Gangue.

Terry McCallum

Ore Gangue President 

1998 

My deepest condolences for the loss of such an amazing person. Mel was such an awesome teacher and always so passionate. I always loved his talks on meteors and one of my favorite memories of him was Mel describing the differences between meteors, meteorites and meteoroids. He will be missed.  - Michael Norman

My greatest condolences to you and your family through this trying time. 

I first met Mel when I started my undergrad degree in 2019. I was a returning student and nervous about making such a big change in my life. I hadn't even decided on a major at this point. His passion while teaching spurred me to go into geology and has been one of the most pivotal influences in my academic life. 

I look back, with great fondness, on lectures where he would lay out his personal samples at the from of the hall for us to see. His unabashed excitement and passion for this field was truly an inspiration for so many countless people. I'm glad to hear he carried it with him all the way to the end. 

-Jared Heise