Edward Rudolph Prince Jr.
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| Membership | Honorary Member |
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Biography Citation for SEG Honorary Membership
Contributed by Enders A. Robinson
Edward Rudolph Prince, Jr., affectionately known as Rudy, attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation in 1951, he chose the Air Force where he became a fighter pilot. His distinguished military service includes an assignment as professor of mathematics at the Air Force Academy.
His early years as a geophysicist were spent at Geophysical Service, Inc., introducing digital technology to the oil industry. A major turning point came in 1965 when Rudy and five other young geophysicists, each with a great deal of energy and talent, formed Digicon, Inc. The six founders (in alphabetical order) were Dave Brown, George Cloudy, Pat Poe, Rudy Prince, Bill Shell and Dave Steetle. Within the first month, Enders Robinson, previously head of the Geophysical Analysis Group at MIT, joined the company as an equal member. Under Rudy's leadership, Digicon pursued new and challenging technologies including many innovations in processing hardware and software, and the adaptation of land digital cable technology to marine streamers. Rudy has contributed to the geophysical profession as chairman of the International Association of Geophysical Contractors, and through his early and long support of technical papers and exhibits at SEG sponsored meetings.
Rudy is one of that small fraternity of geophysicists universally recognized as the best. Nourished by his fiery and agile intelligence, he thinks as an oil man. An astute corporate executive, he has never lost his ability to work at the cutting edge of geophysics. From bird-dogging seismic prospects to making the final seismic interpretation, he always sets the pace. As vice-chairman of Zydeco Energy, Inc., Rudy directs their aggressive exploration program, yet at night he finds time to do important geophysical research and write the necessary computer software. Genius may be described as the power of producing excellence. Taste is the power of conveying excellence with all the concomitant force, refinements, distinctions, and connections. Rudy has both genius and taste. Even more importantly, Rudy is blessed with a lovely, intelligent, and supportive wife Mary Jo and three highly successful sons: James, Rudy III, and Michael.
In all aspects of geophysics, Rudy excels in the extent of his knowledge, in the clearness and distinctness of his views, in quickness of apprehension, in plain practical common sense, in the full, strong, and absolute possession of the subject. A geophysical venture is no sooner proposed than he seems to have an instantaneous and intuitive perception of its various bearings and consequences. He can design the survey in all its practical aspects and anticipate any difficulties attending its execution. Rudy appreciates the interests and different views of the people involved. He understands all the minute and complicated details. Master of all the facts, he has the insight to judge fairly and to determine wisely. No geophysicist's knowledge is more sound, more plain and useful. He sees things that elude the rest of us. Such is the natural vigor and exuberance of his mind that he seems to do all this without any effort.
Rudy is a person upon whom we can always depend. He extends help when needed; his help is inspirational. Rudy has never lost his extraordinary humanity. Everyone who comes within his orbit is influenced by him and gains new understanding. We rely on his strength, the solidity of his ideas, the soundness of his opinions, and the earnestness of his manner. His eloquence owes its effect to the force of truth, and to his sincerity. Today in recognition of his many distinguished contributions, the SEG adds the name of Edward Rudolph Prince to the rolls of the Honorary Members of the Society. Rudy, you well deserve this honor.