Schreiber—B. Charlotte Schreiber, 89, on July 17, 2020, peacefully, following a brief illness in Seattle, Wash. Charlotte was born on June 27, 1931, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Herman and Eugenia Warembat, first generation immigrants from Poland.
After graduating from Hunter College High School, Charlotte completed her bachelor’s in geology from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., in 1953, and later earned her master’s in sedimentology and micropaleontology from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1966. Upon completing her doctorate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., she was awarded a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship, which she spent at Imperial College London. Charlotte taught at Queens College (CUNY) and was a senior research scientist at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Studying the earth was her passion. Following retirement, Charlotte held an adjunct professorship at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., and from 2006 to the time of her death, an affiliate professorship at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash.
An extraordinary scientist and educator, Charlotte’s deep knowledge, intense curiosity, and keen intuition led her to creative insights and significant discoveries in her chosen specialty of sedimentology. A prolific researcher, she authored or co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and was celebrated with the highest level of honors for her field, including the prestigious Sorby Medal, the highest award of the International Association of Sedimentologists.
As a mentor, collaborator, and friend to scores of students and colleagues, Charlotte combined determination, hard work, and raw talent to earn the deepest respect and admiration from her peers. At a time when the academic world could be deeply challenging to female scientists, Charlotte served tirelessly as a role model and inspiration to several generations of talented young women.
Charlotte continued to make major contributions in her discipline well into her 80s, co-authoring papers, advising colleagues, mentoring students, delivering lectures, and traveling to remote geological sites. Equally renowned as a cook, she hosted legendary dinner parties for friends, family, colleagues, and generations of ravenous graduate students.
Charlotte blazed her own trail for the entirety of her 89 years. Born to Jewish parents, as a teen she independently explored houses of worship until finding a home within the Quaker community. She was a Friend for life. During her years in New York, she was a member of Rockland Meeting in Blauvelt, N.Y. After retiring to western North Carolina, she became an active member of Celo Meeting and supporter of Arthur Morgan School, both in Burnsville, N.C. After she moved to Seattle in 2005 to be near her daughters, Charlotte involved herself deeply with University Meeting.
An insatiable reader and devoted pet owner, Charlotte’s favorite form of relaxation was to curl up with a good book and one of her four-footed friends.
Charlotte was preceded in death by her husband and scientific collaborator, Dr. Edward Schreiber; and her sister, Lynn Roeder. She is survived by two children, Christie Schreiber (Eric Thurston) and Sue Schreiber (Peter Rodes); and nieces and nephews.
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