We write to share the heartbreaking news that our colleague and friend Lonnie Thompson passed away at the age of 78 after a brief illness. Lonnie has been at Ohio State for over 55 years, receiving his MS in 1973 and PhD in 1976, and serving as a professor of Earth Sciences and research scientist at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center ever since. 

Lonnie and his wife, Dr. Ellen Mosley-Thompson, both paleoclimatologists, have worked as a team pioneering ice core collection on glaciers around the world, including tropical glaciers, to capture thousands of years of data that link atmospheric conditions to the warming climate – and sounding the alarm that the Earth’s tropical ice caps are melting. Lonnie’s life and career are captured in the recent documentary, Canary. Lonnie has touched thousands of lives across the globe through his tremendous community engagement. Ohio State, along with many other partners, will now do their best to honor and carry on his legacy.

Lonnie is survived by Ellen and their daughter, Regina Thompson. Future opportunities to honor Lonnie’s memory will be shared when they are available.