Ken Thomson was a member of the geology faculty at Missouri State University from 1968 until his untimely death in an automobile accident on March 28, 2004.  Ken was born and raised in Utah and received his education in geology at the University of Utah.  Originally trained as an economic mineralogist, Ken rapidly adapted to his relocation to the Ozarks by becoming an expert in carbonate stratigraphy, karst geomorphology, and environmental problems associated with karst groundwater systems.

At Missouri State, Ken taught Environmental Geology, Speleology, Air Photo Interpretation, and Field Geology, and he developed a program for training professional land surveyors.  Ken loved to teach, and he especially loved to expose his students to geology in the field.  He led countless field trips for his introductory courses, and he required field projects in all his advanced courses.  The published geologic maps for Greene County and many of the surrounding counties in southwestern Missouri are based on detailed field mapping conducted by Ken and his Missouri State geology students over the past three decades.

Ken was an avid caver, and he and his students mapped numerous caves throughout southwestern Missouri.  Ken founded a caving club for Missouri State students, the Heart of the Ozarks Grotto, and he remained the faculty sponsor for that organization until his death.  He was also active in the Ozarks Highland Grotto and the Missouri Speleological Survey (MSS).  At the time of his death he was serving his thirteenth consecutive year as President of the MSS, the longest anyone had ever held that post.

Ken had a long-term commitment to helping preserve the water quality in Springfield and Greene County.  Toward that end, he developed numerous very effective working relationships with governmental officials and members of the private sector throughout the area.  He never tired of explaining the environmental challenges and responsibilities associated with living in an area of karst geology.

Ken was a Registered Professional Geologist in Missouri and an active member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and the Association of Missouri Geologists (AMG).  He served as President of the Missouri Section of the AIPG in 1992 and as President of the AMG in 1984.  Ken's most recent contribution to the geology of southwest Missouri involved the discovery, exploration, and planning for the preservation of Riverbluff Cave in southern Greene County.

Ken's wife, Edda May, was killed in the same tragic accident.  Ken and Edda May are survived by their four children and five grandchildren.