Thanks to the Queen’s Geology Department, in general, and Geophysics Professor Mike Fitzpatrick (RIP), in particular, Larry had a successful career as a geophysicist in minerals and metals exploration.
If one defines success as finding something that is actually mined, the majority of people involved in exploration are unsuccessful. Larry coined the term “negative success” for this situation, where individuals do their jobs but don’t find anything. One could also use the term “positive failure,” as suggested by a colleague. Larry, on the other hand, was successful.
From an anomaly on a geophysical survey Larry conducted on Eskay Creek in northern B.C., drilling discovered one of the richest gold deposits ever found. Credit for his discovery is widely attributed to the geologists involved, but prior to his involvement they had been working on the project for two years and had drilled 108 unsuccessful drill holes, so the term “negative success” (or “positive failure”) certainly applies to them.
He could regale with stories from that project – the Eskay Creek bear encounters, claim jumping, a helicopter crash – but it would probably take too much time and space.
