Obituary of Helen Marie Lang

Dr. Helen Marie Lang passed away in Morgantown, WV, on December 17th, 2017, and is deeply missed by family and friends. Helen was born in Denver, CO, on December 2nd, 1946. She graduated from Wheat Ridge High School, Wheat Ridge, CO, in 1965; received a BA in Chemistry from Willamette University, Salem, OR, in 1969; a BS in Geology from the University of Washington, Seattle, WA in 1977; and a PhD in Geology from the University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, in 1983. Helen was hired at WVU in 1984 and spent her entire 32-year academic career in the WVU geology department.

She retired in 2017 as an emeritus associate professor of geology. Helen was the first woman to hold a tenure-track faculty position in WVU's Department of Geology and Geography, and the only woman holding such a position in the geology department at WVU for most of the first 18 years of her career. Helen was a teacher, a research scientist, and a role model for aspiring geologists, particularly for women students.

Helen was also a loving daughter, sister, and aunt. She is preceded in death by her parents Gilbert and Verna Lang. She is survived by her sister, Marty Lang Corren and her brother-in-law, Howard Corren; her nephew, Daniel (Jennifer Liu) Corren; her niece, Talia Corren, and by her Morgantown family.

A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Helen Lang will be held on March 23rd in Brooks Hall of WVU. Following a 3 pm reception, a more formal celebration will begin at 4 pm in Room 202. In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Dr. Helen Lang Legacy Endowment are appreciated. This fund will support the education and professional development of women students and early career female faculty in the WVU geology department. Checks payable to the WVU Foundation with 3V1094 in the memo section will be accepted at: One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown WV 26507. Online gifts can be made at secure.give.wvu.edu/3V1094.

Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.