Geneseo: April 11, 2016, at age 78 years, after a brief illness. Survived by his wife of 51 years Sandra F. Brennan and daughter Christine E. Brennan (Craig S. Feder) of Glen Ridge, NJ. Grandchildren; Liam Feder and Aurora Feder; sister, Gladys (Walter) Riechmann of MN; nieces, Barb (Tom) Pederson and Deb Riechmann. Also survived by many friends and former students.
Dr. Brennan passed away from complications following a brief relapse of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which he had successfully overcome more than eight years ago. Bill joined the Geological Sciences Department at SUNY Geneseo in 1968. His training was in the fields of engineering geology, paleomagnetism, and geophysics, but he had wide-ranging experience in many related subdisciplines. He participated in the NASA-funded Apollo Research project early in his Geneseo career and he studied volcanic rocks during his mapping experiences in Colorado and Arizona. He taught Structural Geology, Tectonics, and implemented the Geophysics degree program in the Geological Sciences Department until his retirement. Bill consulted with private and governmental agencies in his areas of expertise, including seismology, groundwater, and solution mining. He also worked briefly for the U.S. Geological Survey while completing his Ph.D. at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was elected to a term as chair of the SUNY Geneseo Faculty Senate. Bill was a major contributor to the Geological Sciences Department degree program and to its reputation for producing well trained graduates in their pursuit of advanced degrees at major universities. His loyal students will all fondly remember his Structural Geology fieldtrips to areas in NY and New England.
Following his retirement in 2003, Bill continued to pursue outside interests including backpacking with friends, hunting, both bow and gun and volunteering for community related organizations. He served as a hearing officer for many years with the Livingston County Health Department and he was a long-time advocate of promoting hunter safety in the region.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, June 25th, at 2pm at the A-On-Do-Wa-Nuh Sportsman Club, 4716 River Road, Leicester, NY 14481. Memorial contributions may be made to The Geneseo Foundation, SUNY Geneseo Annual Giving, 1 College Circle, Geneseo, NY 14454. Arrangements entrusted to the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., Livonia- Honeoye. To send a condolence please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com