Tread his own path

Respected geologist Leaman put science before politics OBITUARY

TASMANIA has farewelled a geological institution with the death in January of David Leaman. On his death, the state lost a major advocate for earth science and its application in the community.

David Edward Leaman was born in Hobart and grew up in Glenorchy on the very rock that dominated his life’s work — dolerite.

He attended Hobart High School and the University of Tasmania where he gained his doctorate in geology and geophysics in 1970 under the renowned Professor Sam Carey, specialising in all aspects of dolerite in the Southern Midlands.

From 1966 to 1981, he worked in the State Geological Survey, a division of the Mines Department (now Mineral Resources Tasmania) in the applied fields of mapping, engineering and groundwater — using geophysics to solve many problems.

In particular, over the years his application of gravity and magnetic methods to the deep crust under Tasmania won him an international repu- tation as he helped solve the underlying structures which control the surface geology and landscapes of today.

Based on rigorous field observations and best geological principles, David held his views very passionately and would not be swayed by political imperatives which did not endear him to officialdom.

In 1972, to diversify his career, he began teaching specialist courses in tectonics, applied geophysics and geology for engineers and supervised many post graduate students at the University of Tasmania.

By mid-1981, frustrated by bureaucratic controls and convinced he had no future in the State Service, he resigned and founded Leaman Geophysics.

As an independent consultant, David was able to pursue his career with new assignments for mineral, coal and petroleum exploration companies in Tasmania, Bass Strait, Mt Isa area and PNG.

At the same time he began to bring geology to the public through Adult Education, University of the Third Age, the Hobart Walking Club, history groups and community excursions, and in five popular books.

He produced 10 geological maps and explanatory reports, wrote 192 Geological Survey publications and records and contributed to 38 others.

He was also the sole author of 102 reports for exploration companies and wrote or coauthored 70 scientific papers.

His advice was widely sought by community groups, farmers and land managers for water use in forestry, irrigation and land stability of subdivisions.

David was a member of several scientific societies, twice president of the Royal Society and in 2015 was awarded the Twelvetrees Medal of the Geological Society of Australia.

He is survived by Diana and Marcia and two daughters, Sarah and Jenny, and three grandchildren Tallow, Phoenix and Isla.

Dr DAVID DUNCAN