Ohio Geological Society Honorary Member - Theodore A. "Ted" DeBrosse (1930-2012)

The past few years, I've been writing biographies of geologists who have been awarded Honorary Membership by the Ohio Geological Society. Because of various website reorganizations, these biographies were never republished to the website or never released on the website (https://www.ohiogeosoc.org/). I thought I would release these biographies through my blog, in order to help recognise the important work that these geologists had done in Ohio.

                                                                                                                                                               

Ohio Geological Society Honorary Member

 

Theodore A. “Ted” DeBrosse (1930-2012)

 

By James McDonald

 

Ted DeBrosse, who died on May 21, 2012, was long time and distinguished employee of Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Ted was born on June 25, 1930, and was a 1955 graduate of St. Joseph’s College, where he majored in geology. Ted DeBrosse started out his career with the ODNR-Division of Geological Survey in the Coal Geology Section. He was first assigned to the statewide program to calculate coal resources, which was ongoing during the 1950’s and early 1960’s. As part of this effort, he published a Report of Investigation on the coal resources of the Conemaugh Formation of Ohio.

 

Starting in 1957, Ted DeBrosse was transferred to the Subsurface Section of the Division of Geological Survey. It was here that he began to make a significant contribution to the oil and gas industry of Ohio. Late in 1957, Ted DeBrosse was placed in charge of a project to map the locations of all known oil and gas wells in Ohio. This had never before been done publicly. The project was completed in 1960, just in time for the maps to be heavily used by the public for the Morrow County, Ohio oil boom of the early 1960’s. Ted DeBrosse continued to be involved in updating the maps all during the Morrow County boom, never allowing the maps to become out of date during a time when there was large number of wells being permitted and drilled.

 

In addition, during the period of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Ted DeBrosse became involved in two other activities, the Oil and Gas Fields Map of Ohio and the annual oil and gas statistics. Ted DeBrosse was the co-author on the 1960 Oil and Gas Fields of Ohio map, assisted with mapping of the 1964 Oil and Gas Fields Map, and in 1974, he was the principle author on the 1974 Oil and Gas Fields of Ohio map. The 1974 map served the public for 22 years, until it was updated in 1996. In 1959, Ted DeBrosse started his involvement in the compiling the annual oil and gas statistics for Ohio. He was a co-author for the annual statistics for 1958, 1959, 1964, and 1968, and he was the primary author for the annual oil and gas statistics from 1969 until 1986. This statistical report became known to the industry as “The DeBrosse Report”.

 

Finally, Ted DeBrosse was best known and distinguished himself during his employment with the former ODNR-Division of Oil and Gas. During the Morrow County oil boom of the early 1960’s, it became apparent that Ohio’s oil and gas laws were inadequate to safely manage the Morrow County oil field. Ted DeBrosse worked with the legislature and industry to help modernize Ohio’s oil and gas laws. As part of this modernization, the Division of Oil and Gas was created in October 1965. Ted DeBrosse transferred over from the Division of Geological Survey to the newly created Division of Oil and Gas, thereby becoming one of the first employees. Over time, he eventually became Assistant Chief of the Division. On three occasions, in 1975, 1975-1977, and in 1983, he was acting Chief of the Division. During his tenure as acting Chief, he initiated and established the idle and orphan well program for the Division. This allowed the Division to finance the plugging and restoration of wells when no one could be found to assume these costs.

 

Professionally, Ted was a founding member of both the Ohio Geological Society and the Ohio Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) for over 50 years. He served the Ohio Geological Society as the Secretary-Treasurer (1962-1963), Vice President (1963-1964), and President (1964-1965), and was awarded Honorary Membership by the Ohio Geological Society in May 1996. In addition, Ted served as President of the Ohio Section of AIPG and was inducted into the Ohio Oil and Gas Association Hall of Fame.

 

Even in retirement, Ted still remained active. He could be seen around ODNR up until the late 2000’s, meeting old colleagues and his son Myron for lunch. He would also join people from the oil and gas industry for Friday morning coffee in Worthington. He was survived by wife of 54 years, Betty; children, Richard (Martha) of SC, Myron, Jeffrey (Maryan), and Nanette DeBrosse, all of Columbus; and his grandchildren, Abigail and Michael DeBrosse.

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Calvert, W.L., DeBrosse, T.A., Fary, R.W., Jr., and Jones, C., 1961, Preliminary sub-Trenton data sheets: Ohio Division of Geological Survey Information Circular 28, 19 p.

 

Connor, W.T., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Buschman, W.J., and Johnson, A.W., 1968, Oil and gas developments in Ohio during 1968: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 12 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1957, Coal Beds of the Conemaugh Formation in Ohio: Ohio Division of Geological Survey Report of Investigations 34, 33 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1969, in Damon, N., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1970 (Review of 1969): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 40, p. 288.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1970, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1969: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 8 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1971, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1970, in McGuire, L.A., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1971 (Review of 1970): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 41, p. 298-299.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1971, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1970: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 13 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1972, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1971, in Nichols, J.W., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook (Review of 1971): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 42, p. 284-285.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1972, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1971: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 11 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1973, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1972, in Love, J.W., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1973 (Review of 1972): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 43, p. 287-288.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1973, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1972: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 8 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1974, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1973, in Atchison, H.C., Jr., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1974 (Review of 1973): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 44, p. 305-306.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1974, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1973: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 11 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1975, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1974, in Hicks, P.M., Jr., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1975 (Review of 1974): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 45, p. 306-307.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1976, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1975: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 12 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1977, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1976: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 12 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1978, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1977: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 12 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1979, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1978, in Foudriat, R.E., and Lockstedt, B., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1979 (Review of 1978): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 49, p. 243-251.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1979, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1978: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 11 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1980, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1979: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 13 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1981, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1980: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 13 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1982, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1981: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 13 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1983, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1982: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 13 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1984, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1983: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 13 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1985, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1984, in Lay, M., and Wells, M., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1985 (Review of 1984): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 55, p. 223-242.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1985, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1984: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 13 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1986, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1984/1985, in Ochoa, C., Lay, M., and Wells, M., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook (Review of 1984-1985): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 55/56, p. 291.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1986, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1985, in Lay, M., and Wells, M., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1986 (Review of 1985): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 56, p. 155-165.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1987, Ohio Oil and Gas Development in 1986, in Wells, M., and Lay, M., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook (Review of 1986): Austin, Texas, Mason Map Service, Inc., v. 57, p. 437.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1994, History of the Morrow County Oil Boom: History of the Division of Oil and Gas, in Shafer, W.E. ed., The Ohio Geological Society Anthology – Morrow County, Ohio “Oil Boom”; 1961-1967 and The Cambro-Ordovician Reservoir of Central Ohio: Ohio Geological Society, Columbus, Ohio, p. 55-59.

 

DeBrosse, T.A. and Goodwin, L.L., 1990, Division of Oil and Gas, in King, C.C. ed., A Legacy of Stewardship-The Ohio Department of Natural Resources 1949-1989: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Columbus, Ohio, p. 185-196.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., and Jordan, K., 1976, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1975, in Foudriat, R.E., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1976 (Review of 1975): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 46, p. 330-331.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., and Jordan, K., 1977, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1976, in Foudriat, R.E., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook (Review of 1976): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 47, p. 339-341.

 

DeBrosse, T., and Jordan, K., 1978, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1977, in Foudriat, R.E., and Viohl, A., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1978 (Review of 1977): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 48, p. 263.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., and McCormac, M.P., 1986, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1985: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 14 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., 1987, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1986: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 14 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., and Roane, K.J., 1975, Summary of Ohio oil and gas developments in 1974: Ohio Division of Oil and Gas, 12 p.

 

DeBrosse, T.A., and Vohwinkel, J.A., 1974, Oil and gas fields of Ohio: Ohio Division of Geological Survey, scale 1:500000.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1968, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1967, in Garfield, R.F., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Year Book 1968 (Review of 1967): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 38, p. 231-238.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1969, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1968, in Garfield, R.F., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Year Book 1969 (Review of 1968): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 39, p. 237-243.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1970, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1969, in Damon, N., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1970 (Review of 1969): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 40, p. 236-241.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1971, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1970, in McGuire, L.A., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1971 (Review of 1970): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 41, p. 197-203.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1972, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1971, in Nichols, J.W., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1972 (Review of 1971): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 42, p. 224-229.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1973, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1972, in Love, J.W., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1973 (Review of 1972): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 43, p. 219-226.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1974, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1973, in Atchison, H.C., Jr., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1974 (Review of 1973): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 44, p. 219-232.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1975, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1974, in Hicks, P.M., Jr., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1975 (Review of 1974): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 45, p. 222-230.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1976, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1975, in Foudriat, R.E., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1976 (Review of 1975): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 46, p. 249-257.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1977, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1976, in Foudriat, R.E., and Wiggins, J.L., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook (Review of 1976): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 47, p. 238-247.

 

Jordon, K., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1978, Ohio: Oil and Gas Development 1977, in Foudriat, R.E., and Viohl, A., eds., International Oil and Gas Development Yearbook 1978 (Review of 1977): Austin, TX, International Oil Scouts Association, v. 48, p. 242-255.

 

Lytle, W.S., Conner, W.T., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Buschman, W.J., Johnson, A.W., Weaver, K.N., Young, D.M., and Woodfork, L.D., 1969, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 53, p. 1199-1219.

 

Lytle, W.S., Conner, W.T., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Buschman, W.J., Johnson, A.W., Edwards, J., Jr., Young, D.M., and Woodfork, L.D., 1970, Ohio, in Oil and gas developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 54, p. 941-964.

 

Lytle, W.S., Conner, W.T., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Buschman, W.J., Johnson, A.W., Edwards, J., Jr., Young, D.M., and Woodfork, L.D., 1971, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 55, p. 1080-1101.

 

Lytle, W.S., Edwards, J., Jr., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Johnson, A.W., Buschman, W.J., Loper, R.G., and Patchen, D.G., 1973, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 57, p. 1548-1570.

 

Lytle, W.S., Conner, W.T., DeBrosse, T., Bendler, E.P., Buschman, W.J., Johnson, A.W., Edwards, J., Jr., Young, D.M., and Woodfork, L.D., 1970, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 54, p. 941-964.

 

Lytle, W.S., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, P., Bushman, W.J., Johnson, A.W., Edwards, J., Jr., Young, D.M., and Patchen, D.G., 1972, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 56, p. 1310-1328.

 

Lytle, W.S., Edwards, J., Jr., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Johnson, A.W., Buschman, W.J., Roane, K.J., Loper, R.G., and Patchen, D.G., 1974, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 58, p. 1640-1661.

 

Lytle, W.S., Edwards, J., Jr., DeBrosse, T.A., Roane, K.J., Bendler, P., Buschman, W.J., Kelly, W.W., Jr., and Patchen, D.G., 1975, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 59, p. 1438-1470.

 

Lytle, W.S., Edwards, J., Jr., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Hermann, J.B., Kelley, W.W., Jr., and Patchen, D.G., 1976, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 60, p. 1288-1322.

 

Lytle, W.S., Edwards, J., Jr., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Hermann, J., Kelley, W.W., Jr., Patchen, D.G., and Brock, S.M., Jr., 1977, Oil and gas developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 61, p. 1269-1304.

 

Norling, D.L., DeBrosse, T.A., and Buschman, W.J.J., 1965, Summary of Oil and Gas Activity in Ohio during 1964: Ohio Division of Geological Survey Report of Investigation 56, 139 p.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwarz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Hermann, J.B., Heyman, L., Cozart, C.L., and Kelley, W.W., Jr., 1978, Oil and gas developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 62, p. 1399-1440.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwarz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Hermann, J.B., Piotrowski, R.G., Cozart, C.L., and Kelley, W.W., Jr., 1979, Oil and gas developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia in 1978: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 63, p. 1244-1277.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwarz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Hermann, J.B., Piotrowski, R.G., Cozart, C.L., and Kelley, W.W., Jr., 1980, Oil and gas developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia in 1979: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 64, p. 1403-1436.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwartz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., Hermann, J.B., Piotrowski, R.G., Cozart, C.L., and Kelly, W.W., Jr., 1979, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia in 1978: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 63, p. 1244-1277.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwartz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., McCormac, M., Harper, J.A., Kelley, W.W., Jr., and Avary, K.L., 1982, Oil and Gas Developments in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 66, p. 1955-1998.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwartz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., McCormac, M.P., Harper, J.A., Kelley, W.W., Jr., and Avary, K.L., 1983, Oil and Gas Developments in Mid-Eastern States in 1982: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 67, p. 1570-1592.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwartz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., McCormac, M.P., Harper, J.A., Kelley, W.W., Jr., and Avary, K.L., 1985, Oil and Gas Developments in Mid-Eastern States in 1984: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 69, p. 1518-1533.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwartz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., McCormac, M.P., Harper, J.A., Kelley, W.W., Jr., and Avary, K.L., 1986, Oil and Gas Developments in Mid-Eastern States in 1985: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 70, p. 1259-1272.

 

Patchen, D.G., Schwarz, K.A., DeBrosse, T.A., Bendler, E.P., McCormac, M.P., Harper, J.A., Kelly, W.W., Jr., and Avary, K.L., 1984, Oil and Gas Developments in Mid-Eastern States in 1983: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 68, p. 1383-1399.

 

Shearrow, G.C., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1959, 1958 Oil and gas developments in Ohio: Ohio Division of Geological Survey Report of Investigations 37, 29 p.

 

Shearrow, G.C., and DeBrosse, T.A., 1960, 1959 Oil and Gas Developments in Ohio: Ohio Division of Geological Survey Report of Investigations 39, 30 p.

 

Shearrow, G.C., DeBrosse, T.A., and Calvert, W.L., 1960, Oil and gas fields of Ohio: Ohio Division of Geological Survey, scale 1 inch to 6 miles.