Orrin H. Pilkey’s insatiable curiosity and education led to 65 years in a distinguished career dedicated to marine geology and coastal preservation as a researcher, educator, author, and advocate.
Pilkey (’57 Geol.), 90, passed away on December 13, 2024, in Durham, North Carolina.
He was one of the best-known coastal geologists in the world and an outspoken advocate for science and informed preservation of beaches and shorelines. Many colleagues and students benefited from his knowledge and mentorship in a scientific field he helped build.
Pilkey grew up in Richland, Washington, and spent five summers as a US Forest Service smoke jumper in Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Three of those summers were as a Washington State College student, where he was also a member of Army ROTC.
After receiving a doctorate at Florida State University, he took a faculty position at Duke University in 1965, where he retired as professor emeritus.
His scholarly direction, originally deep-sea geology, changed in 1969 with the destruction of his parents’ Mississippi home from Hurricane Camille. He then shifted his research to studies of shorelines and beaches.
A prolific writer, Pilkey authored or co-authored many books on sea level rise, beaches, and climate change, including The Rising Sea, The World’s Beaches: A Global Guide to the Science of the Shoreline, and two children’s books about beaches.
Pilkey collaborated with scientists and teachers in countries all over the world. He helped establish coastal geology research programs in Portugal and Colombia.
In retirement he remained active in local policy issues and in educating the public about the need to protect the world’s beaches.
For his contributions to scientific knowledge and education about coastal shorelines, Pilkey received two of Washington State’s highest honors: the WSU Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020, and the WSU Alumni Achievement Award in 2024.
Pilkey was married for 60 years to Sharlene Greenaa, who preceded him in death. They raised five children, and enjoyed six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.