Geologist Grant Heiken dies at 84 after years studying the Moon and volcanoes
The scientist who co-authored a definitive lunar geology text died on his 84th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of academic work and community conservation on Whidbey Island.
By Amir Navarro ·
Grant Harvey Heiken, a geologist and volcanologist who helped prepare NASA astronauts for lunar field work, died on October 11, 2026. He was 84 years old.
Heiken passed away on his 84th birthday after a long battle with mesothelioma lung cancer. Born in Monticello, Iowa, he moved to California with his family in the early 1950s. He later settled on Whidbey Island, Washington, where he lived with his wife, Jody, until his death.
His career began in 1968 when NASA recruited him to develop protocols for the Lunar Receiving Laboratory. He trained Apollo astronauts in geologic field work and studied the rocks they returned from the Moon. He authored or co-authored more than 10 books, including the Lunar Source Book, which is considered the standard reference for lunar geology. In 2005, the Italian translation of his travel guide, Seven Hills of Rome, won the Il Premio dei Lettori di Biblioteche di Roma literary prize.
In 1975, Heiken joined Los Alamos National Laboratory to build a new geological team. There, he studied volcanic hazards, geothermal energy, and continental drilling. His field work took him to the United States, Central America, Iceland, and Ethiopia. He also taught a course for secondary school teachers at the University of New Mexico.
After retiring in 2004, he remained active in his community. He served on the Whidbey Island Water Systems board and the Greening Committee at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church. He was a volunteer for the Whidbey-Camano Land Trust. He also created pamphlets and QR code signs for local parks to explain regional geologic processes.
He is survived by his wife, Jody; his brother-in-law, Raymond Irwin; Raymond’s wife, Nancy; their son, Jared Irwin; and several cousins. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on November 20 at St. Augustine’s-in-the-Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland, Washington.
Heiken’s obituary notes that he was known for his dry wit, his love of classical music, and his dedication to mentoring younger scientists. He and his wife established research grants in volcanology through the Geological Society of America and UC Santa Barbara.
