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Oct 22, 1963, The Post Standard. Syracuse, NY:
Dr. George B. Cressey Dies
SU Prof, Noted Geographer
Dr. George B. Cressey, 66, 101 Windsor Place, one of the world's most noted geographers died yesterday morning at his home. Maxwell professor of geography at Syracuse University, Dr. Cressey had long been known as the world's most widely traveled geographer. He was a renowned lecturer, and an authority on many subjects but was particularly well informed and personally familiar with conditions, problems and the needs of Asia, China and to a considerable degree, Russia.
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Military: WWI, National Army
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Occupation: World geographer, professor, author.
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Widely Traveled
The authoritative New York Times one reported, "No other living geographer has seen so much of thereat continent of Asia as Dr. Cressey." He enjoyed the distinction of being widely referred to as the Dean of Asiatic geographers. But his travels and research took him to all parts of the world. He was credited with having visited five continents and 78 countries. This involved 27 trans-Atlantic flights. His fame as a geographer was worldwide. He had lectured and participated in conferences at scores of universities in North America and abroad. He had written extensively and some of his books on geography had been published in six languages. At various times of crisis in international affairs, Dr. Cressey's advice and council on matters pertaining to the geography and civilization of various foreign countries was sought by this nation's top leaders.

Many Honors
In his lifetime, Dr. Cressey was honored by many world groups. His great talents and his vast knowledge of many countries in the world were recognized by research foundations which made study grants to further his work. Probably one of the distinctions of which Dr. Cressey was most proud was accorded him by his own Syracuse University — his academic home for 32 years. This honor came in 1951 when he was given the distinguished service title of Maxwell Professor of Geography. Prior to that he had been chairman of the department of geology and geography for many years.

In appointing Dr. Cressey as Maxwell Professor of Geography, Syracuse University Chancellor William P. Tolley described it as "a very unusual action in recognition of a very unusual career of distinction and devotion." Speaking of Prof. Cressey yesterday, Chancellor Tolley said "Those of us who were privileged to know him as a friend experienced a warmth and loyalty that was a blessing indeed. "While we mourn his loss we are lifted up with gratitude for his ennobling presence in our midst for so long a time," he said.

During his career he wrote 10 books, seven of them on the geography of Asia. His latest publication in June 1963 was a completely revised and rewritten third edition of "Asia's Lands and People," a geography of one-third of the earth and two-thirds of its people. Other volumes include "Land of the 500 Million," a geography of China; "Crossroads," land and life in southwest Asia, and "Soviet Potentials," a geographic appraisal.

Native of Ohio, Dr. Cressey was born Dec. 15, 1896. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1918 from Denison University. Two years later he was awarded a Master of Science degree by the University of Chicago. He later earned two doctorates, one in geology from the University of Chicago in 1923, and the other in geography from Clark University in 1931.

Dr. Cressey taught for six years at the University of Shanghai before his appointment to the Syracuse faculty in 1931. Dr. Cressey served for a time as a consultant to the Chinese government in the early 1930s. He was also geographic consultant to the Great Soviet World Atlas. The world famed geographer was credited with having spent about 10 years in RESIDENCE and half a million miles of traveling in most parts of Asia. In China he was familiar with every province as well as with Mongolia and Tibet. He had made four visits to the Soviet Union, and traveled in nine of the 15 Republics, and made five trips across the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Lived in Beirut
He had also spent periods of RESIDENCE in Beirut and Baghdad, and had seen all of the countries of the Near East from Turkey to Afghanistan and south to Arabia. Many honors came to Dr. Cressey during is lifetime. He was president of the International Geographical Union from, 1949 to 1952. The American Geographical Society bestowed its Davidson Gold Medal on Dr. Cressey in 1952. In 1957, the Association of American Geographers made Dr. Cressey its honorary president. He served from 1953 to 1957 as vice president of the Presbyterian Foreign Board.The National Council For Geographic Education gave its Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Cressey in 1958. In 1960, Dr. Cressey was president of the Association for Asian Studies, and in 1961-62 he was designated as national visiting scholar of Phi Beta Kappa.

Won Citation
He was accorded honorary memberships in many organizations, among them the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the Italian Geographical Society, the Geographic Society of Portugal, the University of Uruguay and the Geographical Society of LaPaz. The Society of Earth Sciences of Berlin, the second oldest geographical society in the world, awarded and honorary membership to Dr. Cressey. The citation read: "The Society of Earth Sciences of Berlin on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of its founding, names the Maxwell professor of geography at Syracuse University, Dr. George B. Cressey, in recognition of his outstanding work in the fields of geographical knowledge and his great service for unifying the science of geography as honorary member."

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Marion Chatfield Cressey; a son, Richard Chatfield Cressey; at home; three daughters. Mrs. David Bowler of Swarthmore Pa., Mrs. Bradford Seasholes of Newton Mass., and Mrs. Harris Webster of Lansing, Mich.; a brother, Prof. Paul F. Cressey of Norton, Mass., and six grandchildren.

Private services, arranged by the Garfield Funeral Home, and burial will be in Granby, Conn. There will be no local services. A memorial service will be at University's Hendricks Chapel. The Rev. Charles C. Noble, dean of the chapel, and the Rev. Scott Byers, associate pastor at Park Central Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Syracuse University Chancellor William P. Tolley will deliver the eulogy. Contributions may be made to the Syracuse World Affairs Council.

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