Peyton Beals
After 45 years in separation science (high-pressure liquid chromatography), I retired from the Waters Corporation in January of this year (2020). I was introduced to FREA by my wife, Kim, who is the Secretary to the Board and chief archivist at FREA.
Prior to my career in analytical chemistry, I graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in chemistry and geology. Though I have not utilized my geologic education in almost half a century, I have always maintained an active interest and have attempted to remain current, at least as an informed layman.
Dr. Robert Duncan Enzmann also possesses a degree in geology (Ph.D.) and spent a significant portion of his illustrious career investigating topics concerning geology and mineralogy. The Enzmann Archive contains copious materials detailing Dr. Enzmann’s geologic fieldwork in South Africa and his interest in beryllium along with many other areas concerning earth science.
Besides the geologic documents and related ephemera (maps and photographs), the Enzmann Archive also includes hundreds of field samples and collection specimens of rocks and minerals. Unfortunately, the context of these has been lost over the years and they reside as “boxes of rocks” without labels or details.
In my short time at FREA, I have had the opportunity to peruse the geologic notes, papers, and reports authored by Dr. Enzmann. I have also surveyed the rock and mineral specimens and have begun to identify and categorize them. My long-term intention is to reorganize the documents so that they are collated and aligned with Dr. Enzmann’s primary areas of study. I also hope to re-associate as many of the collection specimens with their respective documents, papers and reports as is possible.
