Earl Mansuelle Thierry
NSS #498
Died at age 81 on August 18, 2004
Earl has been an honorary member
of Tidewater Grotto for years. I only spoke to him a couple of times
on the phone and never got the chance to meet him in person. I know that
he loved getting Tidewater's Ooze in the mail and never lost his interest in
caving. I was saddened to see the following on the varlist Discussion List
[VARLIST@listserv.vt.edu]:
"At 12:54 PM 9/7/2004, William
Orndorff wrote:
I learned last night that Earl Thierry, one of the very first and greatest of all VPI Cavers, died on August 18, 2004, at 81 years of age.
Some of you may have already heard about his passing.
A more detailed tribute is being written and will be posted to this listserv when completed.
Earl Thierry was VPI long before the Cave Club gave out membership numbers, and explored caves before polypropylene, nylon, or single rope technique. If one looks through Henry Douglas' Caves of Virginia, Thierry is one of the most frequent contributors.
So next time your at the bar, raise your glasses high in his honor...and next time you think your in virgin passage, don't be surprised if you find some 50 year-old footprints around the corner.
Or just an "ET" burn on a wall from the '40s in a location that seemed almost impossible to reach, as happened to Carolzo and me years ago in a remote, "virgin" part of Banes during the big survey push. Earl was a real gentleman and a great pioneering caver. Even though he's not been active for a long time, it's been nice knowing he was still around. Glasses raised on high is definitely in order.
Walt"
Tidewater Grotto's heartfelt condolences go out to Earl's family and friends.
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