Chuck Ratte, State Geologist of Vermont from 1976 to 1991

Charles A. Ratté, State Geologist and Director of the Vermont Geological Survey from 1976 to 1991, passed away on February 20th, 2019, at age 91. Chuck served in the Marine Corps, and received degrees in geology from Middlebury, Dartmouth, and University of Arizona. He was a summer field assistant for USGS in 1953 in Glacier Bay, Alaska, and later served with US Steel. He was a geology professor at Windam College from 1963 until 1976. As State Geologist, Dr. Ratté successfully transferred the responsibilities of the Vermont State Geological Survey from the University of Vermont to the Agency of Natural Resources. He conducted a landmark study of radioactivity, which led to the restriction of nuclear waste siting in Vermont. In 1989, Dr. Ratté got legislation through the State House that redefined the mission and significance of the state geologist. He served as a visiting professor at the University of Kentucky from 1991 to 1993. After retirement in 1994, Chuck and Judith lived in Martha’s Vineyard, before returning to Vermont in 2008.