Charles Herbert Belanski (1897-1929)
Charles Herbert, or C.H., Belanski was born in 1897 and grew up near Rock Grove in north-central Iowa. His parents operated a mill, where Samuel Calvin once came to visit. This was the begining of Belanski's intrest in geology.
With only a high school education Belanski continued to investigate his curiosity with geology. He became very close friends with A.O. Thomas. Thomas once chose Belanski to be his driver for his research trip to the Devonian rocks around Nora Springs in 1914. Soon after the two became great friends. Thomas was not only a friend but a mentor of Belanski's. Thomas provided him with books and references to aid in Belanski's study of fossils.
In 1918 Belanski enlisted to fight in World War I. While in the military he saw action with a field artillery unit. After the war he Married Alberta Phipps.
In the fall of 1927, Belanski entered the University of Iowa and became the curator of the natural history museum in the old science hall. During this time he donated over 700,000 fossil specimens to the University of Iowa, many of which are still in the collections today.
After a collecting trip in cold rain, and with weakened lungs from his action in WWI, Belanski caught pneumonia and died on April 30, 1929. He was inducted into Sigma Xi posthumously in 1930 in recognition of his superior research achievements.
Group photograph. Belanski is front row, the second person from the end.
"The time has come, Fenton, when Paleontology is a complete science in itself and is no longer in its infancy as it was in the days of Hall, Murohieon, Owen, and Verneuil."
Letters
Letter from Belanski's friend Carroll Lane Fenton
Response letter to Fenton
A transcription of the letter:
Friends Fenton and Fenton-
The MSR arrived Friday in good shape. Will get the correction made this week and fire it in to Nieuwland; am getting so that I see red whenever that paper ismentioned. Stratigraphy is a necessary but damned unwelcome part of my work and I will be glad when it can be laid on the shelf.
How is the map legend arranged? Will it make any material difference if I should cut out the Hexacrinus zone, leaving the ratonla zonule as is From late field work I do not believe that it serves the rank of a zone; If this will gum up matters now let it go and the correction can be made in the complete report.
Now as to the paper on zonea and zonules. You have my full hardy, hearty, and heartfelt authority to discuss these separately. I don’t know about a joint paper; my knowledge of this subject is but alightly above the state of nothingness. Nomenclature of petrography is a bugaboo with which I would be glad to be through with.
Let me know by return mail regarding the Hex. Zone and also about nomenclature. The drawings have not arrived yet.
Glad that the Spirifers pleased you. I sent the seconds by express yesterday. Don’t know what there is in it; if you feel that there is any thing due me sent me literature.
I have just received the exchange material from Miss. Goldring. N.Y. VIII. pte. 1 and 2, (which completes my set), memoire 1, pts 1 and 2, 6 pt 2, 10 and 16, 14 separates by Clarke, Springer Joekel etc. I now have a good line on brachiopods, pelmatazoa, and lamellioranchs, My material on Cepha, aside from N.Y. V. is far from complete while on corals I am woefully short. I need the Michigan papers, the Kentucky reports and the German papers. Do you know how I can obtain Wedekind’s paper? I am in need of the Northern Survey of Illinois; wrote Leightori about it but he has not been able to get me copies as of yet.
One paper on brachs. which I need is Schachert’s bioliography; I am getting tired of chasing through books to run down and corral s.species. If you have a chance to pick up any of these episteles for gawds sake grab them for me.
Now Mildred as to the Auloporas, Treat the specimens as though they were your own; if they need sectioning do so etc.
How are you progressing with the paper? I have heard nothing from you for a considerable spell. You must have gave a bunch of species. Thanks for the suggestion regarding stickum, will try it.
Will try to start work on Pentemerios and tereoratulids this coming week. My fingers just itch to get them.
Fenton, you lazy bum, write your own letters; your steno method is about as personal as kissing by telephone.
Belanski
Last letter in the series to Belanski from Fenton
"Herbert Belanski gained the profound respect of teachers, pupils, and fellow students. His work inspired those about him to greater efforts. His ongoing is an irreparable loss to Iowa and to science. He died all too soon- He had the will to work and the understanding to become one of the greatest geologist of all times if he had been permitted to live out a reasonably long life."
Another group shot. Belanski is in the back row, the fourth person from the left.