The Bretz Chronology
(The Albion Connection In Italics.)
- Born September 2, 1882, Saranac, Michigan.
- One of five children, his father a furniture dealer and undertaker and staunch Methodist.
- He was raised as a Methodist and at one time planned to be a missionary.
- Attended Albion College, 1901-05.
- Met Fannie Challis, in biology lab first year. Daughter of a missionary to Bulgaria.
- Taught biology and physiography 2 years at Flint High school, Michigan.
- Married Fannie Challis in 1906.
- Honeymooned in Seattle.
- Taught 4 years at Franklin High School, Seattle.
- Ph.D. dissertation, University of Chicago, 1913. Quaternary Geology of Puget Sound region, Washington.
- Taught at University of Washington for one year. Then appointed instructor at the University of Chicago, 1914.
- Faculty member of University of Chicago for over 30 years. Retired in 1947.
- Neil A. Miner Award for Teaching, National Association of Geology Teachers, 1959.
- Bretz donates his library to Albion College, valued then at $10,000, in support of the newly founded Geology Department, 1966.
- Bretz receives the Albion College Distinguished Alumni Award, 1968.
- Bretz Geology Lab at Albion College, dedicated 1971.
- Bretz donates his Boulder Strewn rock collection to Albion College, 1975.
- Awarded Penrose Medal by Geological Society of America, 1979.
- Recognition by National Park Service and Washington State Park with plaque at Coulee Dam Recreation Center, 1994.
- Died February 3, 1981, Homewood, Illinois.