Colin Bruce Bradley Bull
June 13, 1928 – September 7, 2010
Renowned glaciologist Colin Bruce Bradley Bull of Bainbridge Island died in his sleep Tuesday, September 7 while on an Alaska cruise with his wife Gillian.
Having served on more than 25 polar expeditions, Colin received the Polar Medal from Queen Elizabeth II and the US government’s Antarctic Service Medal; the Antarctic’s Bull Lake and Bull Pass are both named after him.
Born June 13, 1928, in Birmingham, England, Colin received his doctorate from the University of Birmingham in 1951.
He launched his polar career as glaciologist for the University of Birmingham Spitzbergen Expedition in 1951, and, after a stint in the Department of Physics at Cambridge University, UK, joined the British North Greenland Expedition (1952-54) as Chief Scientist. After returning to Britain, he met his future wife, Gillian, whose brother had been on the Spitzbergen expedition. In 1956, the couple moved to New Zealand, where Colin lectured in the Department of Physics at Victoria University of Wellington, and led expeditions to the Antarctic’s Dry Valleys in 1958 and 1960.
In 1961 Colin went to The Ohio State University to help found the Institute of Polar Studies, (later the Byrd Polar Research Center). He served as Director of the Institute, Chairman of the Geology Department, and Dean of the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
In 1986 Colin retired to Bainbridge Island with Gillian to write, collect and sell books on polar exploration. He lectured on Antarctic cruises, often joined by Gillian, sharing amusing stories about his travels, many of which were later published in his books, “Innocents in the Arctic” and “Innocents in the Dry Valleys”.
A delightful raconteur, Colin was youthful in spirit and it was possible to feel part of his life, and we were the richer for it. He maintained strong ties with his colleagues to the very end. His wry humor, his gift for friendship, and his contributions to the study of polar science will be sorely missed.
Dr. Bull leaves behind his wife of 54 years, artist Gillian Bull of Bainbridge Island, three children — Nicholas of Arlington, Virginia; Rebecca of Madison, Wisconsin; and Andrew of Bainbridge Island, Washington — and four grandchildren, Ellen and Simon Bull and Eric and Eileen Bauer, and brother, George, in Great Britain.
A celebration of his life will be held at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church, Bainbridge Island, on October 10, 2010 from 3 to 5 pm. In lieu of flowers donations could be made to Doctors without Borders. You are encouraged to bring or mail stories about Colin to be compiled for the grandchildren.
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