Death Announcement: David Hilton

Obituary: Dave Hilton, Renowned Geochemist and Adventurer, Passes Away at 59

David Hilton, a highly respected geochemist and world-renowned expert in noble gas and stable isotope geochemistry, passed away on January 7, 2023, at the age of 59. Hilton's five-year battle with cancer came to an end, leaving a profound impact on the scientific community and those who knew him.

Born and raised in the UK, Hilton's passion for science and exploration was evident from an early age. He earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge and later moved to the United States, where he served as director of the Geosciences Research Division at Scripps from 2012 to 2017.

Hilton was known for his adventurous spirit and relentless appetite for discovery. He traveled to remote and dangerous locations for fieldwork, often venturing to volcanoes, islands, and terrestrial geothermal systems around the world to sample materials and collect data. His work focused on the distribution of noble gases in natural systems, including volcanoes and hydrothermal systems.

Among his most significant contributions to the field was his research on carbon systematics in groundwater, which provided insights into Pleistocene-Holocene climate change, crustal and mantle fluxes of volatile gases, and the temporal and spatial variability in groundwater helium-carbon relationships at seismically-active regions.

Hilton's research on tectonics, the formation of planet Earth, and solid earth dynamics has been cited more than 6,000 times. He authored more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and books, cementing his place as a leading authority in his field.

In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Hilton was a friend and colleague to many. He was passionate about football (soccer) and a lifelong supporter of Everton Football Club. Hilton had a great sense of humor and was a gifted storyteller, often captivating audiences with tales from his adventures in far-off corners of the world.

Hilton is survived by his wife Purnama and daughter Nia, his father, and two brothers. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to "science, education in STEM, or just have a good medium rare steak and a beer, and think of Dave while you do so."

Hilton's loss is deeply felt by those who knew him. He will be remembered for his brilliance, his adventurous spirit, and his unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.