James P. Owens and Lucy Owens Manheim

Lucy Owens Manheim established the James P. Owens Endowment Fund to honor the memory of her husband.

After interrupting his education to serve in the military, Owens (1924-1995) returned to UB in 1946 under the GI Bill. He received a bachelor’s degree in geology and chemistry in 1948 and completed a master’s degree in 1949. Owens’ graduate work included extensive study of the Cazenovia Creek—he credited the university with much of his later professional success.

Owens served the majority of his distinguished career with the U.S. Geological Survey. He was a respected geologist, often invited to speak at lectureships, symposia and conferences. He was a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and the Washington Academy of Sciences.

Pictured: James P. Owens