Matthew

I feel very fortunate to know many intelligent people.  Matthew Sturm, Betsy's husband, is one of those.  He is a world-renowned glaciologist, specializing in ancient snow.  But that is not his only area of expertise.  He has a broad array of interests, which is what makes him so fascinating to me.

Matthew is an adrenaline junkie.  He loves to climb rock cliffs, high mountains, and glaciers. (His and Betsy's honeymoon was spent climbing Mount Rainier.)  Just last year he climbed to the top of Mount Healy, outside Fairbanks.  No small feat, in that it is not only high, it is snow-covered.   He has been in Antarctica, has gone across Canada above the Arctic Circle on a snowmobile, and has traveled widely.  

Matthew also is very mechanically talented.  He and Betsy built the house in which they live - all 2200 square feet of it.  They started with one room, and then as the family expanded, so did the house.  When they first moved in, they had no running water - just an outhouse and available water that was hauled in.  When their first child was born, they did have running water in the kitchen . . . but that is all.  Matthew is now building another house just up the road from them.  He also can fix engines, work on cars, and do almost any repair needed.  I have yet to hear of a limitation.

But most interesting to me is the range of topics we discuss when he is around.  He is currently working on a paper with an economist trying to determine which is more economically feasible for Alaska - ice roads for hauling supplies or airplanes.  They are looking at the ecological and financial aspects of both.  I think that is an exciting collaboration.  I find his experiences with glaciers fascinating, his thoughts on global warming important, his ability to answer questions thoroughly but on my level unusual (many people like him talk so far above their audience, they are not comprehensible.)  

Matthew has written a fascinating children's story called Apun: The Arctic Snow.  I believe every classroom should have it . . . and I don't think I am particularly biased.  I love the book.  Matthew does not talk down to children, as he knows they can understand anything they are told if it is done right.  His book teaches many important aspects of snow and makes children think about many phases of discovery and science.  It can be found here.

Matthew is now a distinguished professor at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks.  Those lucky students.  They will have a great education with Matthew as their mentor.