b'PeopleNewsVale: Robert (Bob) M.S. White 1948 - 20231990, he continued with his consulting career in exploration geophysics. For the last 34 years he has been consulting in geophysics and computing for a large number of companies in Australia and overseas. This included lengthy stints working in Spain and Oman.In the year 2000, armed with the then brand-new tool of three dimensional inversion modelling, Bob and Steve Collins investigated new and more efficient ways of running IP surveys in conjunction with 3D IP and resistivity inversion software. In association with contracting company Scintrex, they tried different survey geometries for IP, to optimise the survey coverage while maintaining or increasing the information content of the results. This culminated in the design of offset transmitter IP surveys which are still in use world-wide. Several conference presentations and papers resulted from this endeavour.Upon retirement, Bob rued the fact that he had never completed the research he started for his MSc, and that no one else had continued with the work. In Bob White conjunction with Steve Collins, Keith Bob White played a significant role in theshort supply, and Bob was enticed toLeslie and Andrew Sloot, he decided mineral exploration industry in Australiamove back to Sydney to work for Gettyto continue this investigation into over a period of nearly five decades. Oil, in their minerals division. Those weredeveloping a method of looking for interesting times, working for companiessulphide minerals in the presence of Bob started studying economics atwith relatively large budgets forblack shales and clays. Thus, the work Macquarie University in 1967, theexploration, research and long lunches.that started as an MSc research project first year that the University acceptedHowever, all good things must come tosome 50 years earlier was restarted and students, but after having taken somean end, and in 1986 Getty was taken overcontinues to this day. Just days before his geology courses in his first year, heand the staff laid off. During his time atdeath, Bob was commenting and making switched to geology and geophysics.Getty, Bob was involved not only withsuggestions for work on this project. In his words, he realised that the earthexploration geophysics, but also with oreField tests are ongoing.sciences people seem to have a morereserve evaluation, feasibility financial realistic view of what mattered in life. Bob has been an active Member of ASEG modelling, and computer programmingsince its inception and has served on the During his undergraduate years Boband management. ASEG Federal Executive a number of times.played an active role in university life particularly through the ski club. HeIn 1986 Bob joined with fellowHe was also actively involved in the finished an MSc and, in the process,geophysicists, including Phil McSharry,Rural Fire Service and was well regarded developed a good appreciation of redto have a go at what now would nowamong his colleagues at the local Terrey wine. He intended to go on to do a PhDbe called a .COM, i.e., a hardwareHills RFS station.- to continue the research on non-linearand software company start-up. Unfortunately, the crash of 1987 finishedBob was diagnosed with pancreatic electrical conduction in ore minerals thatcancer and battled with the disease for he had undertaken for his Masters thesis.off this venture on the eve of its grand opening, when the banks withdrewnearly two years before passing away However, while working for Comincoquietly at home in the presence of his Exploration (later to become Aberfoyle),funding from all start-up companies.family. He is survived by his wife Sally and he was sent to western Tasmania to followIn late 1987 Bob moved into geophysicalchildren Tom and Janie.up an airborne EM anomaly that was tocontracting through Surtec Geosurveys, become the Que River mine. The ensuingwhile also working as an explorationBob will be remembered as a quiet but flurry of exploration activity meant thatconsultant via his own companyactive participant and innovator in the he never got to go back to university. Tooronga Resources. He spent the nextexploration geophysics community.In 1977 people with both technicalthree years planning and running surveysSteve Collins expertise and computing skills were inall over Australia. After leaving Surtec inscollins@arctan.com.auOCTOBER 2023 PREVIEW 12'