Uldis "Jake" Jansons

Uldis ‘ Jake ‘ Jansons was born to Drs. Voldemars  and Milda Dolfijs Jansons on February 10, 1940 in Jelgava, Latvia.  Jake leaves behind his wife, Carol, nephews and nieces and was preceded in death by his parents, nephew and brother, Dr. Peteris Jansons.

His mother took her children to Germany escaping the Russian army and surviving the bombing of Dresden, Germany. At wars end they were resettled in the Displaced Persons camp, Augsburg, American Zone, Germany, where the Unitarian Church of Fitchburg, Massachusetts sponsored the whole family to come to the United States. 

Uldis completed his early education in Germany, Fitchburg & Chelsea, MA. graduating in Queens, New York.  He spent his college Summers working as a minerals sampler in Ontario and Nova Scotia, Canada, obtaining his BS in geology at St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY.  He obtained his master’s degree at the University of Montana, Missoula. Jake worked summers for Bear Creek Exploration Company. He completed his thesis on the New World Mining District near Cooke City, Montana and met his future wife and soulmate on a blind date. Continuing his education, he worked at the Laboratory of Isotope Geology at the University of Utah, obtaining his PhD in Geological Engineering.  

He married Carol J. Nott on February 5, 1966, in Salt Lake City, Utah. They moved to Faro, Yukon Territory, Canada where Jake was Chief Exploration Geologist for Cyprus Anvil Mining Corporation. He obtained his professional engineering certificate in British Columbia, Canada.   He joined the Bureau of Mines in Anchorage, Alaska where he was supervisory physical scientist. During his field work he confirmed the vast deposit of what’s now the largest zinc mine in the world.   He transferred to the Denver office of Bureau of Mines where he was chief Branch of Mineral Land Assessment verifying the mineral resources of 33 states.  

Jake was an excellent field geologist with a keen eye for mineralized rocks. During his role as a Supervisory Physical Scientist with the U.S. Bureau of Mines in Alaska, he played an integral role in a series of mineral resource assessments as mandated by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and Alaska National Interest Lands Acts. He participated in some of the first mineral resource studies of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Field work by Jake resulted in the discovery of extensive belt of lead/zinc-bearing rocks along the north flank of the Alaskan Brooks Range. He also recognized the significance of the Red Dog discovery which would become one of the world’s major zinc mines.

He was a mentor and inspiration to many young geologists in the initial stages of their careers; always challenging co-workers to think out of the box regarding geologic concepts.

His wry humor was always welcomed by others, especially during the challenges of fieldwork in Alaska.  His favorite quote was “The best geologists are the ones who’ve seen the most rocks!”

Jake and Carol traveled to high Arctic of North West Territories, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Kenya, Egypt, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Morocco,  Jordan, Syria, Israel, Thailand, England, Greenland, and Baffin Island. After retirement they visited all 50 states, enjoying the culture and customs of each country and area visited.

Cheers!

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