Don Runnells graduated in Geology from the U in 1958. He then obtained an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1960 and 1964, respectively, specializing in geochemistry and mineralogy. Following graduate school, he worked in carbonate geochemistry for four years for Shell Development Co. in Houston, Texas and Coral Gables, Florida. Don taught at the University of California, Santa Barbara from 1967 to 1969, followed by 24 years at the University of Colorado, Boulder, teaching courses in mineral deposits and aqueous geochemistry. He directed 50 graduate students to successful completion of Masters and Doctorate degrees. Don retired as Chair of the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado in 1993 and went to work as president of an engineering/environmental consulting firm in Fort Collins, Colorado for another 25 years. He is now fully retired in Fort Collins, with Erika, his wife of 62 years.