WERI remembers Dr. Galt Siegrist, a professor of geology and WERI director from 1999 to 2000. He was an excellent and well-respected researcher that has led WERI to become one of the top water resource research centers in the US. His work has left a lasting impact for environmental studies on Guam at WERI. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Obituary for Dr. Siegrist
Henry Galt Siegrist, Jr. of Queenstown, MD passed away September 27, 2025 at his home, Wye Ferry, at age 90 years 11 months and 6 days (or 90.933 he would say).
“Galt” is the son of the late Henry Galt Siegrist and Bettie Fell; brother of Sallie Sypher, Maggie Robbins, Betsy Petri; husband for 46+ years of Alicia Siegrist; father of Meg, Amy, Betsy, Lottie, Sloan; grandfather of Donald, Thomas, Bailey, Jake, Michael (d. 2013), Hank (d. 2022), Maria, Francis, Miles, Simon; and great grandfather of Issac; preceded in death by former spouse Nancy (d. 2024).
Galt was born in Trenton, NJ on October 20, 1934. He attended Bordentown NJ Elementary #1, Moorestown NJ Friends School (1952), Lehigh University (1956 B.A. Geology, 1953-1955 Lehigh University Mens Soccer, President Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity), Pennsylvania State University (1959 M.S., 1961 Ph.D Mineralogy and Geochemistry).
During his undergraduate years, he was employed by Anchor Thread, Groveville NJ (1952); Jersey Maid Dairy, Bordentown, NJ (1953); Albert Jones Engineering survey of Garden State Parkway, New Gretna, NJ (1954).
Graduate degrees in Geology led to the positions of Research Mineralogist/Chemist at Glidden Company, Baltimore MD (1961-1965); Professor in Agronomy and then Professor in Geology, University of Maryland College Park, MD (1965-1990); Professor of Geology, Water & Environmental Research Institute, University of Guam, Mangilao Guam (1990-2001); Director of Water & Environmental Research Institute, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam (1997-1999).
In retirement from University of Maryland and University of Guam, Galt continued teaching as Adjunct Faculty, Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD (2010-2011); Instructor for the Institute for Adult Learning, Centreville, MD (2010-2024) teaching a different course every semester complete with maps, handouts, books, fossils, minerals and rocks.
When younger, Galt played soccer at middle school, high school, college and club levels. He continued with soccer as a respected and sometimes-winning coach at middle school and high school levels for both boys and girls; St. Johns School, Tumon, Guam (1992-1999); SS Peter & Paul, Easton, MD (2002-2009).
Also, a younger Galt played sandlot, high school and American Legion baseball. Since 1942, he was a rabid and often disappointed fan of the St. Louis Cardinals; since 1952 a follower of the Tottenham Hotspurs Football Club; since 1952 a fan of Lehigh University wrestling; since 2023 a season ticket holder of the Annapolis Football Club.
Throughout his time, Galt enjoyed body surfing on Long Beach Island, NJ, slogging through creeks on Guam, and visiting outcrops, quarries, and mines anywhere to collect fossils, minerals and rocks.
With his wry sense of humor, one never knew if he was kidding or not (he usually was).
Interment will be on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 11:00 am at Chesterfield Cemetery in Centreville, Maryland. Fellowship will follow the service at Kennard Cultural Center, 410 Little Kidwell Avenue, Centreville, Maryland 21617.
In lieu of flowers you may consider making a donation in memory of Galt to Compass Hospice, 160 Coursevall Drive, Centreville, Maryland 21617 (info@compassregionalhospice.org).
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