June 26, 2014 Joe Nadeau flew via helicopter back to the "rimworld" from his 40th Grand Canyon river trip having just spent 6 days and a morning surrounded by close friends and family enjoying the splendors of the Canyon and Colorado River.

June 26, 2015, exactly one year later, he left us. This time a solo journey, one which none of us can accompany him- one with no more pain, no more anguish, no more debilitating disease. We imagine him exploring the back roads of Europe, diving some gorgeous tropical reef, hiking around a mountain range checking out "NEAT!" geologic features, or more than likely- sitting in the sand riverside, cold beer in hand, watching the sun set on the adjacent rim while listening to the river flowing by with his beloved Hatch boats bobbing in the eddy.

Our world seems much emptier all of the sudden.

Joseph Edward Nadeau, after much debate about whether to pursue music or rocks graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in geology, only to continue his pursuit of geologic knowledge at the University of Tennessee for his masters degree and finally at Washington State for his doctorate. Then fully fledged in the academic world he landed a professorial job at Rider University. In his 35 years at Rider he taught, lead his department and retired in 2008 as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Education and Sciences. Along the way his sharp intellect, his passion for teaching, his gift for punny humor, his verve for exploration, his ability to listen and his gracious, fun-loving nature gathered a host of lifelong friends both students and colleagues.

His love of music never faded, and in recent years, he had dusted off his guitar and begun playing again. He particularly enjoyed performing for his biggest fans, grandchildren Leila and Lucas Probasco. Photography was another hobby of his and Leila and Lucas were some of his willing subjects.

Travel, also topped Joe’s list of preferred activities and as a professor of geology he managed throughout his lifetime to turn work into play very effectively. From guest teaching in Prague, Czechoslovakia in the seventies, to the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association field camp in Montana; to Bermuda; to Honduras; and of course to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado work provided an excuse to go nearly everywhere. Not to worry though, if there wasn’t an official capacity involved, but someplace piqued his interest the travel agent in him was busily planning a “recreational” trip to Mexico, Peru, Tahiti, Spain or even just a previously unexplored park or recreational area in post-retirement wintertime home Arizona. Of course, wife Rosemary, and daughters Jan and Denise, and their husbands Volker Kern and Stoffel Probasco were always willing participants in these travel adventures. Even his sisters, Julie LeBlanc and Jeanne Stovall, and sister-in-law Sharon Hunt, and their families were occasionally swept off on one trip or another.

Joe is survived by all of the above-mentioned accomplices.

In 1989, Joe began serving on the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation’s evaluation panel. The panel reviews hundreds of applications annually to award scholarships to college students pursuing research careers in science, math and engineering. Joe participated as a member of the panel, and as a director of the newly formed private fundraising corporation until his death. If you wish to commemorate his life please consider a memorial contribution to the BARRY GOLDWATER EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FUND, INC.
6225 Brandon Avenue, Suite 315, Springfield, Virginia 22150-2519, phone (703) 756-6012. Joe was exceptionally committed to the Goldwater Foundation and the Educational Support Fund as it combined his passion for education with his love for science.

At his request, no formal services will be held, but a memorial celebration will take place at a later date.

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