Fred Earll

Fred Nelson Earll, 88, a retired Professor of Geological Engineering at Montana Tech, died on Sunday, April 8, 2012 at a local care facility in Great Falls of natural causes.Services are pending at a later date in Butte, MT.Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Fred Nelson Earll was born March 5, 1924 in Berkley, CA to Arthur N. Earll and Madeline McMahon Earll. Fred had two brothers, Arthur Edwin and Robert Charles.Fred attended Los Angeles High School, received his diploma early and volunteered for the Air Corp in October, 1942. He worked as an airplane and engine Mechanic.Fred was stationed at Lowry Field in Denver where he met his future wife, Frances Knoll. They were both attending a party with someone else, but they knew immediately they belonged together. They had their first date a few days later.Fred was discharged from the service in February, 1946 and sent back to California where he got a job working at a gas station. He soon realized he had left something important behind and called Fran and proposed over the phone. He saved as quickly as he could and sent Fran the money to come to Ca and they were married August 3, 1946 in Los Angeles, CA. They were married 40 years and to the end she was the love of his life, and he awaited the day they could be together again.Fred received his BS degree in Geology at the University of Southern California in 1954 and his PhD in Geology at the University of Utah in 1957.Fred and Fran moved to Butte, MT in 1957 where he was Professor Geological Engineering at the Montana School of Mines, currently known as Montana Tech College of Technology. He was head of the geological engineering department from 1959 until 1984 and retired in 1992.Fred was a director of the Montana Mining Association and a charter member and a founding director of the American Institute of Professional Geologists. Other interests included the Butte Gun Club and Butte Rotary.During his tenure with the college and into his retirement, he worked with numerous consulting firms. If anything, he worked harder once he retired. His consulting work took him throughout the western United States and as far as Indonesia. He was the author of several "public"ations from 1962 through 1976. He also operated his own small mining claim in the Flint Creek Mountains.Fred is survived by his son, John (Dianne) Earll of Spokane, WA; daughter Kathy (Terry) Lingenfelter of Great Falls, MT; grandchildren, Heather (Drew) Howse of Carlin, NV, Jamie (Serah) Stephenson of Belgrade, MT, Josh Lingenfelter of Gulfport, MS, Robyn Johnston of Butte, MT, Krista Lingenfelter of Tumwater, WA; and eight great grandchildren.Fred was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, his wife of 40 years, Frances in 1986; his daughter Barbara Johnston in 2002 and granddaughter, Sara LeNoir in 2011.The family sincerely thanks the wonderful staff at Beehive Homes and Peace Hospice of Montana.Memorials suggested to Alzheimers Association, Montana Chapter, 3010 11th Ave N, Billings, MT 59101; Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405; Montana Tech Foundation, 1300 W Park St, Butte, MT 59701 or a charity of the donors choice.Condolences may be left for the family at www.schniderfuneralhome.com.