PRESENTATION OF THE HARRELL L. STRIMPLE AWARD TO DEAN PEARSON

Abstract

Dean Pearson functions as a professional paleontologist on all levels and is making amazing contributions to the paleontology of southwestern North Dakota. At 43, he is probably the youngest Strimple Award winner but his contributions easily merit the recognition of this award. In his two day jobs, Dean is a feed mill manager at Equity Feeds on Scranton, North Dakota and is the Bowman County Emergency Manager. He has had a strong interest in the natural world and paleontology since the age of six when he found a fragment of fossil turtle shell on a hike with his father to the top of Chalky Butte, the highest point in North Dakota. In 1983, in an attempt to revisit that site, a 26-yr-old Dean found the humerus of a fossil rhinoceros, which re-ignited his interest in fossils. He contacted the North Dakota Geological Survey, who put him in touch with John Hoganson, a newly hired paleontologist. John introduced him to Mike Williams from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History who was collecting dinosaur fossils in the Hell Creek Formation and Dean began to work with Mike. This began a pattern where Dean would meet and work with visiting professionals. He learned from them and eventually began to collaborate with them. Now they come to him for advice. Dean is a voracious reader and his ability to acquire knowledge is one of his more impressive talents. He takes careful notes and asks thoughtful and practical questions. And he remembers …