Alistair McCrone, former interim president of University of the Pacific and a nationally recognized geologist, died August 17 in Lynnwood, Washington at the age of 91.

McCrone was academic vice president at Pacific from 1970 to 1974 and briefly took over as president in 1971 while Robert E. Burns dealt with health issues.

McCrone was named president of Humboldt State University in 1974, now known as Cal Poly Humboldt, and held the position until his 2001 retirement.

A passionate geologist, he served as chair of the geology department at New York University for several years prior to Pacific and also taught at other universities. From 1969-70 he gave 48 half-hour lectures on geology and related topics for the CBS National Network “Sunrise Semester” program.

McCrone earned a bachelor’s degree from University of Saskatchewan in Canada, a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska and a PHD at the University of Kansas.

He is survived by his wife Judith of 65 years, sons Bruce and Craig and their families.