George Patrick Malanson

George Patrick Malanson

Iowa City

George Patrick Malanson died on September 1, 2024, at his home in Iowa City, Iowa, from complications from cancer.

George was born to Ernie and Agnes (Durkin) Malanson in Clinton, Massachusetts, on July 12, 1950. He grew up in and around Clinton. He always loved the outdoors and spent much of his young adulthood skiing with his father and enjoying time at his family’s home on Lake Waushacum. His family’s house was often filled with his cousins and friends.

George attended Williams College where he was on the ski team and spent as much time as possible climbing nearby mountains with a group of adventurous friends. He loved his time in college; among his favorite experiences was a wonderful semester spent traveling in India. After graduating from Williams, he served in the U.S. Army as a draftsman, living in Washington, D.C. and Ft. McPherson, Georgia. He then continued his education in Utah and California. He eventually joined the faculty of the University of Iowa’s Department of Geography in 1985. His work allowed him to spend as much time in the mountains as possible—particularly in Glacier National Park, where he and students counted stems and collected tree ring samples. He was committed to his research throughout his career and even into retirement, focusing in his later work on the response of landscapes to climate change. He enjoyed the lifelong friendships he made with colleagues and students as a result of his teaching and research.

George married Mary McCoy on October 20, 1990, in Iowa City. They welcomed their son, Joseph, in 1995. Throughout his life he loved traveling and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, his son, Joseph Malanson, many relatives and friends, and his dog, Nellie. He will be deeply missed.

A remembrance service will be held Friday, September 27, 2024, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service at 4:00 PM followed by a gathering for family and friends until 6:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (https://www.inhf.org/ways-to-give/?form=DONATE) or Glacier National Park Conservancy (https://glacier.org/donate-to-glacier/).