Art Soregaroli: October 19, 2017

Oct 20, 2017

An introduction of Dr. Art Soregaroli's Fine Mineral CollectionWe learned with great sadness of the passing of Art Soregaroli on October 19, 2017. The Arkenstone acquired his collection several years ago, and he took a few moments to share some of his thoughts with us. They are shared here, below, along with a personal note from Peter Megaw.

“The mineral specimens you see here now have been liberated from my collection of the past 6+ decades, rescued from my favoured lair in the recesses of a Vancouver home sold and slated for demolition. This move has forced my hand to make the difficult decision to find new homes for these many precious friends I have spent a lifetime collecting.

From my early youth, collecting agates and arrowheads in rural Iowa quarries and stream beds, to kicking up rocks with pack mules in Idaho as a graduate student, to my doctoral work at the University of British Columbia in Canada (where I’ve made my home this past half-century), and throughout the career that followed in exploring the world for precious metals and commodities to mine, I’ve rarely met a specimen I didn’t like. And, as much as each specimen holds a special place in my heart, I suppose what I am most grateful for in having been captivated by this esoteric hobby is the people I have met who share my passion for minerals and geology, and the many friendships that have been forged at the rock-face, at the bargaining table, with the Mineralogical Record and at Tucson, and in peering through the glass of a display case.

So, now, as I continue my journey, I hope these specimens will continue theirs and bring joy and gratification to the ardent mineral collectors fortunate enough to make them their own.”

-Dr. Art Soregaroli

ADDENDUM, ADDED OCTOBER 22, 2017

“Sadly, Art passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 19, 2017.  With his passing the mineral world lost a great geologist/mineral scientist, staunch friend and true gentleman – the outpouring of tributes from those whose lives he touched has been impressive.  His work getting the Pinch Collection to the Canadian Museum of Nature was mentioned by many, as was his work with the Brittania Mine mining museum near his home in British Columbia, and his manifold contributions to mineral symposia…especially the Pacific Northwest FM Symposium that closed just 2 days before his passing. Jodi Fabre noted that Art was single-handedly responsible for guiding the famous Panasquiera Mine in Portugal back into the black so that could not only thrive as a metals mine, but continue to produce quantities of excellent specimens to this day.

Those who wish to express condolences to the family can do so to his beloved wife Rosalie remembering.art@gmail.com.  She will share them with daughter Carla, son and daughter in law Brian and Michelle and the grandchildren he doted on so fondly.

Those who wish to honor his memory can do so by visiting/supporting the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Brittania Mine Museum or attending next year’s Pacific Northwest FM Symposium.  Adding a specimen from Panasquiera to your collection would work too!”

– Dr. Peter Megaw

 

Peter Megaw’s original tribute (published in 2015) is available here.

Have stories about Art that you’d like to share? E-mail them to info@iRocks.com, and we will happily add them here.

 


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