1907-1985

Thomas A. Hendricks was born January 27, 1907, in Deaf Smith Co., West Texas. His father was a physician. At the age of 10, his family moved to Arkansas – first to Fayetteville and then Fort Smith. He attended the University of Arkansas, working in the summers as a field assistant for the Illinois Geological Survey. He transferred to Northwestern University where he received a B.S. in geology in 1928. He entered graduate school at the University of Colorado and was granted an M.S. in 1929.

He joined the USGS upon graduation and worked on such diverse projects as the stratigraphy and structure of the Ouachita Mountains, recoverable petroleum resources of the world, coal deposits in the west, and manganese supplies. During World War II, he served in several critical positions dealing with natural resources, for which he received the Medal of Freedom in 1947.

In 1948, he left the survey to work for Stanolind and later Pan American, precursors of Amoco. In 1959, he returned to the USGS, and although he retired in 1973, he continued to contribute as a consultant until 1979.

Thomas Hendricks’ citation for Honorary Membership in AAPG was published in Vol. 55 (1971), pg. 1110 of the Bulletin and his Memorial in Vol. 70 (1986), pag. 1169.