The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS) mourns the recent passing of Dr. David Gillette, the museum’s first Curator of Paleontology. 

“Dr. Gillette played a key role in helping our museum grow to where it is today, including naming the iconic Seismosaurus on display in our Jurassic hall."” said NMMNHS Executive Director Dr. Anthony Fiorillo. “His legacy, at our museum and other institutions across the country, cannot be overstated. He will be missed.” 

Lured by the opportunity to develop public programs and exhibits at a new museum, Dr. Gillette worked for NMMNHS from 1983, years before the museum opened to the public, through 1988. As the museum’s first Curator of Paleontology, many of the museum’s permanent exhibitions, including Time Tracks, were built during this period based on his research and curation. This work included identifying and naming an iconic sauropod dinosaur, Seismosaurus. The dinosaur was eventually renamed based on additional studies inspired by Dr. Gillette’s discovery. 

Prior to joining NMMNHS, Dr. Gillette launched his academic career in 1974 at Bryn Mawr University as Visiting Professor of Geology, followed by a year as Assistant Professor of Geology at Sul Ross State University. He landed next at the College of Idaho, where he was Associate Professor of Biology and Geology from 1976–1981, but unfinished research in Texas called to him, and he returned to his alma mater, Southern Methodist University, as Assistant Professor of Geology. 

Following his time in New Mexico, Dr. Gillette worked for the Utah Geologic Survey as State Paleontologist of Utah for 10 years before accepting in 1998 the prestigious position of Colbert Curator of Paleontology at the Museum of Northern Arizona, where he remained until his retirement in 2020. He passed away surrounded by family at his home in Flagstaff, Arizona, on February 10, 2025. 

More information about Dr. Gillette’s remarkable life and career can be found HERE.