Richard C. Sill, 1923-1981

Richard Clements Sill, a specialist in astronomy and environmental matters, joined the University of Nevada-Reno faculty in 1959 and became a full professor of physics in 1973. Prior to coming to Reno he had taught at the University of Nebraska and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; and worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, at Lick Observatory, and at the Stanford Research Institute. Sill served on the national board of directors for the Sierra Club from 1967 to 1971, was on the executive committee of Sierra Club for two terms, and a member of the executive board of the Toiyabe Chapter of Sierra Club (Nevada). Dr. Sill was chair of the UNR Environmental Studies Board and the Pyramid Lake Task Force for the Sierra Club.

Folder No.

1. Notes on Congressional discussions on Prgs [Progress?] of Great Basin National Park (GBNP). 1962-1965.
2. Correspondence from Carl Smith (1971) and copies of articles about rock glaciers.
3. Wheeler Peak Scenic Area Accomplishment Report." 1966; "Management of the Wheeler Peak Scenic Area" n.d.; Map of the Humboldt Forest; Pamphlet "Birds of the Snake Range."
4. Wilderness Act and related matters: legislation, handbook and article.
5. Early reports, letter to University of Nevada President Armstrong from Sill, 1966; and Sill's "Report on Proposed Great Basin National Park."
6. "Great Basin National Park Association." Correspondence, 1957;1963; Newsletters, 1958-1966 (incomplete).
7. GBNP correspondence to elected officials, 1962-1966, clippings and articles.
8. Proposed GBNP correspondence
9. "Results of Field Investigations for Proposed GBNP" distributed by the Sierra Club. 1959.
10. Las Vegas [Sierra Club] on Wheeler Peak. 1967.
11. Pete Nora/ Richard Sill correspondence re Wheeler Peak. 1967.
12. Correspondence from Richard M. Noyes, Richard Sill and Weldon Heald. 1954-1958.
13. Early articles.
14. U.S.G.S. publications and maps lists.
15. "Special documents from Robert A. Rowen, Forest Supervisor" [on management of Wheeler Peak area and other resources]. 1967.
16. Social Systems Analysis Program.
17. Environmental Impact Analysis Program.
18. Senator Baring on GBNP [1965-1966].
19. Letter on cave management, 1971. Sunset Magazine article on GBNP, Aug. 1971.
20. Letter to Governor Sawyer from Sill. 1965.
21. U.S. Forest Service publication "Islands of Green."
22. Roger Morrison articles on Great Basin geology.
23. Valmore LaMarche: "Interdisciplinary meeting of Sierra Club Scientists in the Southern Snake Range." Correspondence, reports: "Inventory of Ancient Bristlecone Pines: A Suggested Study Plan"; "Rates of Slope Degradation as Determined by Botanical Evidence, White Mountains, Calif."
24. Letter to Paul Gemmill from Sill. April 12, 1866.
25. Bristlecone pines-reports.
26. W.C.S.C. (Wilderness Classification, Sierra Club) Field Study, Southern Snake Range. Situation reports. July 24-31, 1971.
27. U.C.S.C. Field Study. Organizational notes
28. U.C.S.C. memo from Sills. July 16, 1971.
29. "An Ecological Analysis of the Flora and Fauna in the Vicinity of the McGill Copper Reduction Plant, McGill, Nevada" by Paul T. Tueller and Richard L. Depaoli. 1970.
30. "An Ecological Analysis of the Flora and Fauna in the Vicinity of the McGill Copper Reduction Plant, McGill, Nevada" by Paul T. Tueller and Richard L. Depaoli. 1970.
31. "A Report by the Advisory Committee to the National Park Service on Research" by the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. 1963.
32. "Establishment Report from Mt. Jefferson Research National Area Within Toiyabe National Forest." 1972.
33. Land Use Plan, Mt. Moriah Planning Unit, Ely Ranger District, 1973. Definition, analysis and classification of recreation, 1961-1964.
34. Wilderness classification testimony by Sill, Mar. 29, 1972; and other Great Basin wilderness material.
35. Correspondence from Richard Noyes, 1954. Report on Noyes' trip to Dinosaur National Monument and Wheeler Peak (with Sills and Al Lugn), 1954.
36. Stella Lake Road. Correspondence, reports. 1965-1969; n.d.
37. Stella Lake Road; Dan Lee's Sierra Club Outing Trip; recommendations. 1965.
38. GBNP bill, 1961-1962. Wildlife management documents. 1964-1965.
39. "Predator and Rodent Control in the U.S," 1964; "A Study of Wildlife Problems in National Parks" by A. Striker Leopold.
40. Sierra Club Board meeting agenda on GBNP and correspondence. Sept. 1965.
41. "An Evaluation of Research possibilities of the Snake Range in Eastern Nevada" prepared by the Ad Hoc Faculty Committee of the University of Nevada for President Charles J. Armstrong [ca post 1967].
42. Sierra Club Research Committee for Wheeler Peak, 1966-1969. Includes correspondence, notes, reports.
43. Sierra Club Research Committee for Wheeler Peak, 1966-1969. Includes correspondence, notes, reports.
44. Geological matters, South Snake Range, relevant to Sierra Club Research Committee on Wheeler Peak. July 3, 1968.
45. "Snake Range Report: Zoology of the Range" by Fred Ryser. April 18, 1967.
46. "The Evaporation-Precipitation Fallacy" by James E. McDonald.
47. Reports on National Park Service research. 1963.
48. Donald R. Curry report on bristlecone pines in eastern Nevada, correspondence, and clippings about the bristlecone.
49. Roads in national parks.
50. "Ice Age" paper and notes.
51. Sill's speech: "The Need for National Areas and Wildlife Research Areas in Nevada and in Particular a Scientific Wilderness Reserve in the Snake Range in Eastern Nevada," March 1966. Correspondence, 1965-1966.

Manuscripts | Special Collections

Please direct questions to Jacquelyn Sundstrand
Updated June 23, 2008