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Rock hound shares lifetime collection

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Above, cut and polished agates ( a popular semiprecious quartz gem stone) from various localities in Northern Mexico. Agates also occur in our local-area river gravels. (Press photo by Caroline Rosacker)

By Caroline Rosacker

Phillip Burgess has a passion for paleontology and geology. He grew up in Prairie du Chien, Wis., surrounded by tall bluffs, bounded by the Mississippi River on the west and the Wisconsin River on the south. He was educated locally and furthered his studies at Wisconsin State University-Platteville (now University of Wisconsin-Platteville) for three years. 

"I used to climb around on the hills surrounding Prairie du Chien," said Burgess.  "I had a shoebox full of stuff I had collected as a child. I attended college at the University of Platteville, Wis., for a couple of years and studied geology."

Steady employment eventually drew Burgess away from college. "I decided to work for the 3M Co. in Prairie du Chien, and after 35 years I retired in 2009," he said. 

Burgess' interest in rocks, fossils and minerals has presented him with numerous opportunities to share his work. "I have presented programs in area schools, and at the Driftless Area Wetland Centre near Marquette," he commented.

The rock enthusiast's passion opened the door for exploration and travel. "I have had a lifelong interest in nature, rocks, minerals and fossils," he shared. "Although I collect material from around the world at various shows, I concentrate on what's available in the tri-state region. I have also collected at the amethyst mines near Thunder Bay, Canada."

Burgess has an impressive, growing collection. "Cleaning, prepping, identifying, cataloging and storing my specimens has been a lengthy process," said Burgess. "I currently have about 14,000 cataloged specimens, with roughly 100,000 total specimens. This keeps me busy in retirement!"

The collector shares his wealth of knowledge with a network of fellow collectors. "I stay in contact with others who share similar interests on Facebook, through clubs, and through personal communication," he commented. "There are a number of websites for identifying our local fossils and rocks. As for myself, I simply type in what I'm searching for on Google, then peruse the websites/info sources, pictures, etc. that appear. I also have a home library of books and magazines that I refer to." 

Burgess' collection is showcased on lighted shelving units. "The former Prairie Cabinet Shop built my lighted glass front display cases back in the 1970s," explained Burgess. "I assembled the heavy-duty metal shelving units out in my big display room that I obtained from a 3M Co. supplier at work. I designed the lighting systems for all of the above. The metal cabinets with the parts storage drawers also were obtained from a 3M supplier and shipped to my house."

The extensive collection is grouped accordingly. "I usually group my rocks, minerals and fossils according to their various types, though this rule varies according to the amount of storage/display space I have available. Every corner is now packed full!"

Burgess has a difficult time choosing a favorite. "My favorite piece – this is a frequently-asked question!" he exclaimed. "I am especially fond of a 120 lb. meteorite on a pedestal (biggest one in this area!). I also enjoy my worldwide variety of agate specimens and a four-foot-long fossil Diplodocus dino femur. My local favorites include fossil trilobites, brachiopods, corals, sponges, cephalopods (including a seven-footer!), ammonites, many stromatolites and more."

Numerous hours of research have helped Burgess understand his geode collection. "True geodes have a special formative process that is best interpreted by reading books or online articles on the topic," he recommended. "Essentially, they are crystal-lined nodules that weather out of the bedrock (few occur in this area). I have a collection of geodes from southern Iowa on display at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre."

Rock hunting opportunities are dwindling. "Unfortunately, there are few good places left to collect rocks, fossils and minerals anymore, and this is true of northeastern Iowa as well as nationwide," he said with disappointedly. "Most quarries are now closed to collectors due to insurance liability issues and government regulations, though a few road cuts, dry runs, and hillsides are still available to avid rock hounds. Sadly, it's likely that few others will get to experience the collecting opportunities that I've had in my lifetime."

"Nowadays I'm mostly interested in collecting/studying the obscure, visually rather unappealing (though rare) fossils that are weathering out of the cherty Lower Ordovician age (~490 million years old) dolostones of our tri-state region. I consider myself fortunate to pursue a pastime that few others have interest in nowadays. Back in 'the good old days' all I had to do was ask permission and drop off a case of Budweiser at the quarry office," he concluded with a hearty laugh.

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