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Peter Molnar August 25, 1943 – June 23, 2022

Renowned geophysicist Peter Molnar –a Distinguished Professor of Geological Sciences at CU Boulder, a Fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), and recipient of some of the most prestigious awards in his field – died Thursday, June 23. He was 78, and leaves family and friends and academic colleagues throughout the world deeply saddened by his loss.

Molnar was born August 25, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Margaret Andrews Molnar and Julius Molnar. Julius was a physicist and VP of Bell Laboratories in New Jersey.

Peter received a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics from Oberlin College. After earning his Ph.D. from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory in 1970, Peter worked as a postdoc at the University of California San Diego and as an exchange scientist in the U.S.S.R.

Peter became an assistant professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1973 and then stepped down from the faculty position in 1986 to become a senior research associate there. In 2000 he accepted an appointment as a Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado in Boulder and became a Fellow of CIRES, CU’s Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences.

His research focused on aspects of how mountain ranges form and how continental lithosphere deforms. He published his most widely known work, showing that the Himalayan mountain range was lifted up by India shoving against Tibet by means of tectonic processes, in 1976. He pursued research in Tajikistan, Kenya, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Peru, Tibet, India, Panama, Argentina, Colombia, Iran, Bolivia, Nepal, China, and many other countries, as well as in the U.S.

In 2014, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded Peter the Crafoord Prize in Geosciences – an honor given only once every four years – for his field-changing contributions to the understanding of global plate tectonics, including the deformation of continents and the structure and evolution of mountain ranges.

A few years later, the Geological Society of America lauded him with an International Distinguished Career award, writing: “With stunning breadth and clarity, Peter Molnar has revolutionized our understanding of the mechanisms of and controls on Earth’s geologic evolution during the past several hundred million years.”

Peter is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Sara Neustadtl from Lyons, and also

his son Alyosha Molnar, daughter-in-law Erica Baumgartner Molnar, and two grandchildren, Vivian Molnar, 16, and Kestrel Molnar, 13, all from Ithaca, NY, where Alyosha is Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University.

Peter and Sara made their home in the Lyons area and entertained scientists, friends, and academics from all over the world.

“Your impact on the department and the scientific community are immeasurable,” Bob Anderson, Chair of the Geological Sciences Department and a Distinguished Professor himself, wrote in a note shared with Peter before his death. “Simply put, you have been our conscience.”

“His modus operandi was always to identify the next most important problem perceived to be arresting the future progress of earth science,” said Peter’s longtime colleague Roger Bilham, also a CIRES Fellow and an emeritus Professor of Geology. “He instilled this notion in his students and in his colleagues.”

Peter Molnar was the graduate advisor for Lina C. Pérez-Angel, a graduate student from Columbia, who worked closely with him on projects.

“Thanks to him, we are very lucky. I am honored to have him as my Ph.D. advisor; he was the most spectacular mentor, colleague, and friend. He was always on my team and wanted the best for me. I am going to miss him so, so much. He was truly a gem,” Perez-Angel said.

“Well, I just want to finish with how wonderful, kind, generous, and unselfish Peter Molnar was. He was so smart and so humble at the same time. I am going to miss him everyday. He always said that he learned so much from the youth and many of us will ask ourselves, ‘what is the most important question?’ ” said Perez-Angel, referencing the phrase she and many others heard often from their mentor.

Anderson said several pieces of advice from Peter have long inspired his career: “Choose important problems. Work with good people. Support those who have

fought against all odds.”

Bilham will miss being in the field with his colleague. “He loved walking in the mountains, in snow or sunshine. He loved music. He loved science,” Bilham said. “We all loved him for all of this, and we shall miss him.”

A memorial service for Peter Molnar is being planned for sometime later in the fall at the university.

Peter Molnar with science colleagues in the field.

Peter Molnar with Lina C. Pérez-Angel, a graduate student from Columbia. He was her graduate advisor.

By Joe Neguse, U.S. Congressman Redstone Review

LYONS – Did you know that America’s national recycling rate is only 32 percent – and that, in Colorado, the rate is even lower? In fact, a 2020 report shows that our state’s recycling rate hovers around just 15 percent. And that means that, although we are well known for our scenic public lands and pristine outdoors, our state has much to do to improve our recycling and conservation practices locally.

That is why just last month, I introduced a bipartisan bill to identify national composting infrastructure challenges, and improve our recycling practices, both here in Colorado and across the country. The Recycling and

Composting Accountability Act (RCAA), which I introduced alongside two of my Republican and Democratic colleagues from Tennessee and Illinois, strives to fill critical information gaps in America’s recycling and composting systems so that we can better foster waste-free communities. The RCAA will help empower Americans to make conscious decisions regarding environmental Neguse stewardship so that we can work together to effectively combat the climate crisis. As we continue to make great strides toward sustainability, it is important that the federal government supports these efforts and provides all information available to spur innovation for state and local governments to improve their communities’ recycling programs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem – but we can educate and promote healthy and sustainable prac-

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