Shock: Well-known LSU coastal scientist dies at 54 from unknown illness — Often spoke about how oil was going to be 'coming back'
Update here: Deceased LSU scientist refused BP contract, warned others they “need to be very, very careful”
LSU coastal scientist dies at 54, The Advocate (Baton Rouge), February 18, 2011:
The LSU community is reeling after the sudden death Thursday of prominent LSU coastal scientist Gregory Stone.
Stone, who was quoted extensively in many publications internationally after last year’s BP oil leak, was the director of the renowned Wave-Current Information System. …
“We’re all dazed and stunned,” [Chris D’Elia, dean of the LSU School of the Coast and Environment] said. “He was a lynchpin at this place. It’s a tremendous loss. He was loved by his staff. People who worked with him adored him.”
D’Elia said Stone was admitted into intensive care late last week from an unknown illness. The thought was that Stone was improving but then news came that he died Thursday, D’Elia said. …
University professor Gregory Stone dies, LSU Reveille, February 18, 2011:
Details about Stone’s cause of death were not available by press time.
Stone is survived by his wife, Anne, and his 16-year-old son, Carter. …
[Stone] warned oil visible on the surface was only part of the problem — oil further down in the water column existed, as well.
Prayers go out to the family and friends of Gregory Stone. He was featured in several reports posted on FOSL:
- “All we could see was oil” says top LSU researcher on flyover; “Divers said there was oil everywhere” in shallow waters of LA coast — NOAA says clean in 5 weeks?
- LSU Scientist: “Significant amounts” of oil “still poised to come into Louisiana’s sensitive coastal marshes” — “Just a matter of time”
- WAVCIS founder indicates oil WILL “rise higher into the water column and be washed onto land” — “A long term problem, it’s not simply going to go away”
- Top Coastal Researcher: “MUCH of the OIL that is presently in the Gulf WILL be washed back ON SHORE” after storms
Feb. 18, 2011