"I went to Antarctica to be part of Antarctica, and then it became part of me." - Jerry Marty, NSF Representative to the South Pole
Jerry Marty is the quintessential Wisconsinite (Sconnie). Anyone from Wisconsin, or anyone who knows anyone from Wisconsin knows what I mean. He is kind, hard working, easy to talk to, easy to get along with, and concerned about everyone around him. Oh yeah, he's a Packer fan and he likes to drink beer.
I met Jerry 3 years ago on my first trip to the pole. He was a modest man, sitting in his modest office out in the Cheese Palace (named not only for the Sconnie that worked there, but also because it represents a large
Jerry Marty is the quintessential Wisconsinite (Sconnie). Anyone from Wisconsin, or anyone who knows anyone from Wisconsin knows what I mean. He is kind, hard working, easy to talk to, easy to get along with, and concerned about everyone around him. Oh yeah, he's a Packer fan and he likes to drink beer.I met Jerry 3 years ago on my first trip to the pole. He was a modest man, sitting in his modest office out in the Cheese Palace (named not only for the Sconnie that worked there, but also because it represents a large
cylinder of Colby cheese) and had modest ideals about how to get things done at the pole. I would later find out that he came to the South Pole first in 1969, just after 
graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville, also my alma mater. He grew up in Monroe, WI and still likes to travel back to his hometown, where he takes an active role in the community and schools.He returned to the pole for the 1974-75 season, with his wife, to help inspect and dedicate the new South Pole Station, the "Dome" or "90 South", as it is known. He has been to the pole every season since (Jerry, correct me if I am wrong). In 1993, he was given the reins to oversee the design, construction and opening of the new new South Pole Station, the elevated staion that I'm staying in now. And now, after 40 short years, he is retiring from the NSF and the Antarctic program.
Last Friday, after a short flag ceremony, he was presented with the flag that not only flew over the elevated station, but it was the same flag that flew over the Dome for the last 35 years. It was a very touching ceremony and a memory that I will cherish. Afterwards, a party was 
thrown and a couple more gifts were given. 
First, an IceCube Digital Optical Module (DOM) was presented to Jerry. IceCube decided to go against its self-imposed rule of not naming any DOMs after anyone still alive... we now have a DOM named Jerry Marty. After signing the DOM, Jerry was informed it will be deployed this season. 
Then, Beth Watson and Bob Spotz presented Jerry with a custom machined cribbage board, made by Bob. It was a tough secret to keep from Jerry, since the back of the board was available in the science lab for everyone to engrave their name on. The board turned out beautifully and will be cherished by Jerry. 
After all the gift giving, the party continued and everyone was able to spend time talking, reminiscing and drinking with Jerry, getting in their last good-byes.Saturday morning, Jerry boarded the LC-130, never to return to the South Pole. It was very emotional for him, leaving the place he helped mold into what it is today. I am confident that we will someday be able to read about Jerry Marty, in the same way we now read about Roald Amundsen, Robert Scott, Admiral R.E. Byrd and the Navy Seabees.
No comments:
Post a Comment