AUBURN — Roy Lothrop Farnsworth, Professor of Geology Emeritus, Bates College, 84, died the evening of July 18 at his home.

He was born in Shirley, MA, on March 4, 1928, son of the late Edward A. and Edith W. Farnsworth. Roy attended Boston University, earning a B.A. in English language and literature. He continued his education at BU earning his master’s and a Ph.D. in Geology; his fields of interest lying in glacial geomorphology and environmental geology. Roy is a veteran and served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Germany.

Roy was an exceptional educator of 35 years, having taught English in Dighton, Mass., and geology at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., prior to his appointment to the geology department at Bates College. He taught at Bates for 29 years, serving as the department chairman for 19 years.

Volunteering was a large part of Roy’s life. He was an active member of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Club, of which he was president at one time. As a passionate outdoorsman, Roy donated his time to numerous organizations that encompassed the environment. He served at

Baxter State Park on the advisory committee as member and chairman, the scientific forestry advisory committee and the director’s scientific study committee. He served as a trustee of the Maine Wilderness Watershed Trust, Pierce Pond. Roy was also active as a member, and one time chairman, of the Auburn Water District.

Roy is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ruth; a daughter, Allyson Jutras and her husband, Garry, of Hudson, N.H.; sons and daughters-in-law, Peter and Julie Farnsworth of Cape Elizabeth and Paul and Julie Farnsworth of Auburn; grandchildren, Dana and Ian Jutras, Ted Farnsworth and Nathan Farnsworth; and a brother and his wife, Allston and Josephine Farnsworth of Lynnfield, Mass.

He was predeceased by his sister, Eleanor Gaudette; and half-brother, Charles Farnsworth.