Alex Volborth
Alex Volborth, 85, of Dayton, MT, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 30, 2009.
Alex was born on July 11, 1924 in Viipuri (Wyborg) Karelia, Finland, the son of the late Alexis von Volborth and Ljubow Ottllie Augusta Schroeder. He joined he Finnish Army and served during WWII and in 1947 married Nadia Hasso in Helsinki, Finland.
He had a lifelong passion for learning and earned numerous degrees; Geology and Mineralogy, (PhD), 1954; Philosophy (Mineralogy, Geology Chemistry) (MS), 1954; Philosophy, Eximia Cum Laude, (BS), all three from the University of Helsinki; Postdoctoral: University of Vienna, University of Heidelberg, California Institute of Technology (Hoover Fellow), Pasadena.
Among his many positions as an educator, Alex was Professor Emeritus at Montana Tech; Professor, Washington State University and University of Nevada; Visiting Professor, Irvine, CA; Killam Professor, Dalhousie University, Canada; Visiting Scientist, NASA.
His professional organizations included: Scientific societies listed in Who’s Who of America, the World, Science and Engineering; Genealogisches Handbuch des Adels, Adelige Hauser B, B and VI C.A. Starke Verlag; Dictionary of International Biography, London; Two Thousand Men of Achievement; Vuorimiesyhdistys (geologists), Finland; Knights of Malta. Alex was also a member of The Explorers Club and Sierra Club.
Alex will be remembered by his friends and family as a scientist, artist, photographer, teacher, philosopher, provocateur, traveler, voracious reader, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many.
Survivors include five daughters; Tatjana Goodman, Svetlana Volborth (Jerry Whiting), Maria Volborth (Kurt Shirley); Anna (Mike) Thompson, Elizabeth Domina; two sons, Gregory Volborth, and Nikolaus Volborth; a sister, Dorothea Volborth; ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial art show (Art Basel sanctioned) expressing his visions of art in natural geological formations will take place in Miama, FL, December, 3 – 5, 2009. Please contact his daughter, Maria, for more information, (www.kmilliongoldmine.com).
Memorial services will be held in the Spring of 2010 in Nelson, Nevada and in the Summer of 2010 in Kalispell, Montana. His ashes will be buried in Nelson, Nevada.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests donations to the Sierra Club, (www.sierraclub.org); The Whitefish Review, (www.whitefishreview.com); Salish Kootenai College Public Broadcasting Station, (http://kskctv.skc.edu); or the University of Idaho – Geological Sciences, (www.geology.uidaho.edu).
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. Grogan Funeral Home, Polson is assisting the family.
Dear Volborth Family,
I am so very sorry to learn of Alex’s death. I have known him for over 26 years and have enjoyed learning about his adventures. Most of all, I have enjoyed the intelligent, lively man that he was. Every conversation with him enriched all who were present.
When our mother died, Alex came over and cooked a wonderful soup from the Perch he had caught and then he showed us slides of some of his museum visits. He cheered us just by sharing one of his greatest joys - art.
On October 16, my sister and I spent a lovely evening catching up and sharing old times. He was so excited and proud to share about his photographic journey. I hope daughter Maria will be able to keep his legacy alive. As we visited I thought to myself that when Alex dies the world will lose an amazing mind and heart. I just did not know that it would happen so soon.
Charles Swindoll once said that “Sometimes what seems like the end is really the beginning.” I’m sure Alex is enjoying his new beginning. He was always one for an adventure.
I am sure that his passing has left you devastated. Please know that you are in my prayers. I would certainly like to attend the memorial service in Kalispell, in the summer.
God Keep You,
Sue
I was saddened to read of your loss. At MT Tech, I was a non-traditional student, and I was struggling with Chemistry. Mr. Volborth went the extra mile to help me. I owe my professional career to him. My thoughts any prayers are with you all! God Bless!
I certainly enjoyed my association with Alex on several things.
Sincere condolances from Mary, Chris and Rob Baur and from Marjorie ,our mother.
Alex was in regular contact with our ,Robert Charles King- and we knew Tanya back in the 1970s.
What wonderful contributions Alex made to our world!