Monday, March 31, 2008 : 9:50 a.m.

In Memory of Thomas A. Prickett

Allen Wehrmann, Illinois State Water Survey

In the field of groundwater modeling, a number of names may spring to mind as major innovators. Thomas Prickett should surely be included as one of modeling’s foremost pioneers and practitioners. From 1960 until his untimely passing last September, Tom’s career spanned the breadth of groundwater modeling from electric analogs to modern digital techniques. He was a leader and innovator in the field, creating numerous analog models in the 1960s, but quickly recognizing, embracing, and advancing the utility of digital computers to model groundwater flow and transport. Most colleagues did not realize that Tom began his career with only a degree in General Engineering and no background in groundwater. But under the initial tutelage of Bill Walton while at the Illinois State Water Survey in the early 1960s, he rose to receive essentially every major award in the groundwater field. Among his numerous prestigious awards were the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) M.K. Hubbert Award (1977), the NGWA Henri Darcy Distinguished Lecturer Award (1987-1988), the NGWA Life Member Award (1989), the American Institute of Hydrology C.V. Theis Award (1990), the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers K.E. Anderson Award (1999), and the University of Illinois Department of General Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award (2004). But, for all these awards, it was his personality that people will remember. A personal, non-technical reflection on Tom’s life and career will be presented.

Allen Wehrmann, Illinois State Water Survey H. Allen Wehrmann, Illinois State Water Survey. Al Wehrmann is a Senior Hydrologist and Director of the Center for Groundwater Science at the ISWS. His 30 years at the Survey have been directed toward a variety of groundwater resource development and contamination investigations across Illinois. As Center Director, Mr. Wehrmann oversees the research, data collection, and public service activities of approximately 20 scientists, engineers, and technical support staff, including major staff efforts to assess long-term groundwater availability in Illinois. Wehrmann is a registered Professional Engineer in Illinois, is certified as a Professional Groundwater Hydrologist by the American Institute of Hydrology.


2008 Ground Water Summit