Earl Hoover Beistline is widely recognized for his long and distinguished career as a mining educator at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He brought to the classroom a unique blend of theoretical and practical knowledge. Through his vision and drive, the University acquired the Silver Fox Mine to be used by students for research and instruction. During Earl’s long affiliation with Alaska’s minerals industry, he also acted as a consultant and mine operator.
Earl Beistline was always an outspoken advocate of mining industry interests.
A professor of Mining Engineering, Early Beistline became Dean of the University of Alaska’s School of Mineral Industry in 1949. In ensuing years, he served as Provost of the University’s former Northern Region and twice as acting Academic Vice President for the State University at Large. Through years of diligent work, Dean Beistline helped establish the University’s Mineral Industry Research Laboratory, its Petroleum Engineering Program, and its Annual Placer and Coal Mining Conference.
During his 36 years of service at the University, Dean Beistline also found time to do extensive research on historic mining operations and procedures and on key personnel in the mining industry. He retired from the University in 1982 to start his own placer mining operation and consulting firm and became Dean and Professor (Emeritus) of University of Alaska’s Mining Engineering Program.
In 1969, Early Beistline received an Honorary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University. In 1971, he was designated Engineer of the Year by the Alaska Society of professional Engineers. He was chosen University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 1975 and given its School of Mineral Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award and Distinguished Service Award in 1992.
In 1986, Earl was the motivating force in the Alaska legislature’s enactment of the Alaska Minerals Commission, whose eleven members have since made continuous, effective efforts to improve the business climate for mining in Alaska.
Earl Beistline was active in many educational and professional organizations, including the American Society of Engineering Education, the Federal Technology Assessment Advisory Council, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, AIME, the World Dredging Association, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment, and many others. Through his passion for the minerals industry, he authored numerous published works, including “Placer Mining Methods,” which is a chapter in the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He was a member of the National Mining Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors from its inception through 2005.
A true inspiration to students, co-workers, and the mining industry at large, Earl Beistline continued to work as an educator, an avid historian, and an active member of many civic and mining organizations for many years after his official retirement.
