Jerome F. Machamer

(Holley)
Jerome F. (Jeff) Machamer passed away at home on Sunday, September 24, 2023. Born April 15, 1934 to Jerome and Luella Machamer of Duluth, Minnesota.  

He is survived by his wife Susan Hurd Machamer of Holley, NY, daughters Mary, Amy and Molly Machamer, grandchildren Annabelle Mannard, Amelia Sidonio, Annie and James Agar, and sons in law George Mannard, Joe Sidonio and Mike Agar, cousins Frank (Char) and Ralph (Linda) Voris of Aurora, IL and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his mother and father, sister Molly Evans of Duluth, MN and cousin Frances Voris Myers of Aurora, IL.

Jeff grew up on the Mesabi Range in northern Minnesota, which spurred his lifelong interest in earth sciences and in trains. He was a graduate of Duluth Central High School (1951), Cornell University (B.Sc.,1955), McGill University (MSc. Geology, 1959) and Pennsylvania State University (PhD Geology, 1962). He served in the US Army in Waukesha, WI, following which he had a long career as a professional economic geologist. He was highly regarded as an expert in minerals exploration, working for organizations including IMC Global, Phelps Dodge Corporation, US Steel Corporation, Essex Minerals, Inc., and the U.S. Bureau of Mines, before becoming an international consultant.

He was a Fellow of the Geological Society of America, a Life Member and Fellow of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geologists, member of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers and Buffalo Association of Professional Geologists. He was also an active supporter of community organizations, including St. Paul’s Alter Guild (Duluth, MN), the St. Louis County (MN) Historical Society and the First Presbyterian Church of Holley, NY, where he served as an elder.

Jeff was fascinated by both the natural world and physical world. He loved nurturing his rose garden – the regal pink Queen Elizabeth rose was his favorite. He was passionate about classical music, in particular Handel and Mozart, his favorite work being Handel’s Messiah. He was an avid reader, devouring the Wall Street Journal from cover to cover each day, as well as Time, Smithsonian and Trains magazines. He always enjoyed a good “yarn”, especially literature, poetry and music about real people – from Robert Service to Rudyard Kipling. He kept a copy of Birds of North America close at hand, and stopped to take notice daily of the beauty that surrounded him wherever he was.

Jeff loved nothing more than a crisp apple, a hot fudge sundae, a slice of rhubarb pie, a warm Pendleton shirt, his beautiful family and his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Susie. He was humble and grateful to the end for his many blessings.

There will be no calling hours.

Family and friends are invited to attend Jeff’s Memorial Service, SUNDAY OCTOBER 1, 2023 beginning at 2:30 pm in the First Presbyterian Church of Holley, 34 East Albion St., Holley, NY, 14470. Private interment will be held at the convenience of the family in Hillside Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Organ Fund at the Church listed above, the Buffalo Association of Professional Geologists, P.O. Box 179, Bowmansville, NY, 14026-0179 or to the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences of Cornell University at: eas.cornell.edu (click on the 2020 Vision Endowment tab).

Jeff’s arrangements have been entrusted to the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home of Holley.

To share a special memory of Jeff, please visit: www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com