Hallan C Noltimier

Dr. Hallan Costello Noltimier (Hal), a resident of the Wesley Glen Retirement Community in Columbus Ohio, passed away at the age of 89 years, on Friday, August 14, 2026. He transitioned peacefully with his daughter, Romy, and son, Mark, at his bedside.

Hal was born March 19, 1937, in Los Angeles, California and was the adopted son of Fred Noltimer, an Engineer and Corinne Noltimier, a schoolteacher, in the city of Whittier.

Hal’s parents’ home schooled him, and believed he was a gifted learner. As a youngster Hal was struck by the natural wonders of the southern California desert, and would sketch the natural rock and landscape formations and take notes about what he saw around him. Early on, he began collecting minerals and tools left behind by previous cultures, learning as much as he could about their origins. In addition to his math and science studies, he also enjoyed learning piano, trumpet, tap dancing, and German language studies.

By the age of twenty-one, Hal earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics/Geophysics in 1958 from the California Institute of Technology and that year boarded a ship for England after being invited to do Graduate studies at the University of Newcastle. During his time in Newcastle, he married his first wife, Judith, with whom he had two children, Mark and Romy. Hal worked as a Demonstrator in Physics and Lecturer in Physics and Planetary Physics, while earning his PHD in Geophysics/Paleomagnetism in 1965.

In 1968 Hal relocated his family to the USA, to pursue his academic teaching career. After a few years as an Assistant Professor of Geology at the University of Oklahoma in Norman Oklahoma, and a brief stint as an Associate Professor of Geology at the University of Houston in Houston Texas, in 1972, Hal found his niche at the Ohio State University Department of Geology and Mineralogy as an Associate Professor, became tenured within 2 years, and by 1978 earned full professorship.

Devoted to field work, Hal took part in geological surveys and sampling every year from 1958 through 2006. His early career took him far afield to Peru, Morocco, the coal mines of Wales and later to Spain. Later he took Sabbaticals at the Swedish Geological Survey in Uppsala Sweden and the Texas Seismic Corporation in Houston. He returned on sabbatical to the Swedish Geological Survey in 1988.To this day, his students fondly remember his leadership and fellowship on field trips to the Appalachians and to Utah, testament to the spirit he infused into these academic pursuits.

Hal loved working on cars. He was the proud owner of a series of BMW sedans over the years and became an active member of the BMW Car Club of America. He was the Turbocharging Editor for the club magazine “Blau Mit Weiss Roundel” and wrote a monthly series of articles about turbocharging starting in March of 1980.

Over his 37-year career at OSU, Hal taught twenty courses as part of his regular teaching responsibilities. He was an academic advisor and a curriculum committee member throughout his tenure. Hal also served as Chairman of the Library Council, a faculty representative to the OSU Research Foundation, Chairman for the Committee on Patents and Copyrights, and President of the OSU Fulbright Alumni Association alongside other University appointments.

Hal received a dazzling array of scholarships, honors and awards over the course of his long teaching career, too many to mention. Notably, he received a Patent in 1995 for the co-invention of a diamond-coated garnet powder abrasive, and lastly in 2002, the Mortar Board/Sphinx Senior Class Honor Society awarded Hal for Recognition of Dedicated Service to Students.

After retiring from teaching in 2009, Hal travelled extensively with Paula, his wife. Together they saw the Egyptian pyramids, the Costa Rican rain forest, New Zealand, South Africa’s Kruger Park, Etosha Pan in Namibia, and enjoyed many ocean cruises.

In addition to travel, Both Hal and Paula loved classical music and held season tickets to the Columbus Symphony. Every summer, Hal could be found in the garden growing vegetables for his family. He was an ardent cat lover and adopted and adored many lucky felines over his lifetime.

In 2013, as Vice President of the OSURA (Ohio State University Retirement Association), Hal, who was a fitness advocate, started a hiking and walking group for members that spanned a period of 10 years. During these visits to the Columbus Metro Parks, he would often give impromptu talks about the local geology to the participants.

Hal was preceded in death by his third wife, Paula, and is survived by his daughter Romy, son Mark. He was a loving and warm-hearted father, devoted husband, as well as a resolute scientist, teacher, and staunch advocate for a healthy planet earth through conservation and resource management. He will be remembered for his wacky sense of humor, humility, friendliness to all, and mostly for his incredible positivity, resilience, and inner light. May he rest peacefully and eternally.

In lieu of flowers we kindly ask if you would make donations to:

Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10006-3111

Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460

World Central Kitchen, PO Box 96538, Washington, DC 20090-6538

World Resources Institute, 10 G Street NE, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20002

A memorial service will be held later, date to be announced.

A special thank you to all the folks involved with Wesley Glen assisted living and Wesley Glen Hospice. Your kindness and care were deeply appreciated.