It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Alan Logan on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the age of 88, at Kingsway Care Centre, with his loving wife and daughter by his side.

Born in Newcastle, England, on September 20, 1937, Alan was the elder son of Robert and Mary Jane Logan (née Black). He was raised to be a true gentleman, a quality often remarked by all who knew him.

Alan’s family was the centre of his world, and his devotion to his wife and daughters was unwavering. Although naturally reserved, he opened his heart fully to his grandchildren, becoming the most special Grampy—always ready to read countless stories and to join them on the floor, no matter what they were playing with. As the family grew, Alan remained a cherished source of love, quick humour, and joy to everyone.

Alan considered himself a “perpetual schoolboy,” driven by curiosity and a deep love of learning. Upon completion of a Bachelor of Science in geology from Durham University in 1958, Alan continued his studies there, completing his PhD in 1962. After emigrating to Canada that same year with his new bride Sylvia, his academic career took him to McMaster University, then back to Leeds University, and later to the University of Alberta before he and Sylvia eventually made their home in Saint John, New Brunswick.

As one of the original faculty members at the UNB Saint John campus in 1967, Alan played a pivotal role in shaping its academic community. In addition to his work as a dedicated professor, Dr. Logan mentored both undergraduate and graduate students with enthusiasm. He also served for several years as the university orator, given his strong working knowledge of Latin. He remained an active and respected presence on campus until his retirement in 1998, when he was honoured with the title of Professor Emeritus, a fitting tribute to a man whose passion for knowledge never waned.

Alongside teaching, Alan built an illustrious career as a world-renowned marine biologist, marked by extraordinary accomplishment and significant impact. Over the course of his research life, he published 106 scientific papers, each contributing valuable insights and advancing global understanding of marine ecosystems. He was a highly awarded recipient of research funding from the National Research Council and NSERC, a testament to both the importance and the excellence of his research. His expertise earned him invitations to numerous prestigious International Coral Reef Symposiums, where he presented his work to leading scientists from around the world.

Alan’s passion for discovery allowed him to dive some of the world’s most famous coral reefs. He relished the sense of exploration that accompanied every underwater dive, studying reefs few people ever experience firsthand. His research trips to Bermuda, the Caymans, Barbados, and other remarkable places gave Sylvia and the girls the opportunity to spend wonderful summers by his side. His work also took the family to Marseille, France, for a year during a UNB sabbatical—days that remain among their happiest memories, shaped by Alan’s love of his career.

Alan had a lifelong love of tennis. He spent countless hours at the Rothesay Tennis Club, enjoying great matches and tournaments with Sylvia. As well at the UNBSJ Fieldhouse, his daily lunchtime indoor games with Barry and Kevin became a familiar sight—students often paused to watch, amazed by his skill. Tennis was more than a hobby to Alan; it was pure joy and a constant source of energy throughout his life.

Alan also cherished his Saturday ritual of watching English football and cheering on his beloved team - Newcastle United with a shrimp sandwich and a cold beer.

Alan leaves behind his devoted wife of 63 years, Sylvia, whose steadfast love shaped every chapter of his life. Together, they travelled the world and shared countless adventures. His constant support of Sylvia’s busy career was evident to all who knew them, and their enduring love for one another remains one of Alan’s greatest legacies.

In addition to his wife, Alan is survived by his daughters Alison Logan Watt (Larry MacFadyen) and Nikki Rogers (Wally Pittman); his 5 grandchildren Sara Watt Ferris (Adam), Megan Watt Lister (Peter), James Logan Watt (Audrey Hodgins), Alexander Rogers, and Lauren Rogers; his step-grandchildren, David MacFadyen (Jessica) and their daughter Rory, and Monica MacFadyen Crocker (Jacob) and their son Elijah. He also leaves his treasured great-grandchildren Payton Rae Ferris, Robbie Jane Lister, Jim Lister, and a great-grandson expected in April 2026.

Uwe Brand

Some of his publications on brachiopods...

Azmy K., U. Brand , P. Sylvester , S. A. Gleeson, A. Logan & M. A. Bitner, 2011. Biogenic and abiogenic low-Mg calcite (bLMC and aLMC): Evaluation of seawater-REE composition, water masses and carbonate diagenesis. Chemical Geology, 280, 180-190.

Baker P. G. & Logan A., 2011. Support from early juvenile Jurassic, Cretaceous and Holocene thecideoid species for a postulated common early ontogenetic development pattern in thecideoid brachiopods. Palaeontology, 54 (1), 111-131.

Bitner M. A. & A. Logan, 2015. Recent Brachiopoda from the Mozambique-Madagascar area, western Indian Ocean. Permophiles, 61 (suppl. 1), 5-6.

Bitner M. A. & Logan A., 2016. Recent Brachiopoda from the Mozambique-Madagascar area, western Indian Ocean. Zoosystema, 38 (1), 5-41.

Bitner M. A., Logan A. & E. Gischler, 2008. Recent brachiopods from the Persian Gulf and their biogeographical significance. Scientia Marina, 72 (2), 279-285.

Brand U., Logan A., Hiller N. & J. Richardson, 2003. Geochemistry of modern brachiopods: applications and implications for oceanography and paleoceanography. Chemical Geology, 198, 305-334.

Brand U., Azmy K., Griesshaber E., Bitner M.A., Logan A., Zuschin M., Ruggiero E., & Colin P.L., 2015. Carbon isotope composition in modern brachiopod calcite: A case of equilibrium with seawater? Chemical Geology, 411, 81-96.

Brand U., Bitner M.A., Logan A., Azmy K., Crippa G., Angiolini L., Colin P., Griesshaber E., Harper E.M., Taddei Ruggiero E. & Häussermann V., 2019. Brachiopod-based oxygen-isotope thermometer: update and review. Riv. It. Paleont. Strat., 125 (3), 775-787.

Brand U., G. D. Webster, K. Azmy & A. Logan, 2007. Bathymetry and productivity of the southern Great Basin seaway, Nevada, USA: An evaluation of isotope and trace element chemistry in mid-Carboniferous and modern brachiopods. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 256, 273-297.

Brand U., Logan A., Bitner M.A., Griesshaber E., Azmy K. & Buhl D., 2011. What is the ideal proxy for Palaeozoic seawater chemistry? Memoirs of the Association of Australasian Palaeontologists, 41, 9-24.

Dhar S. R., Logan A., MacDonald B. A. & J. E. Ward, 1997. Endoscopic investigations of feeding structures and mechanisms in two plectolophous brachiopods Invertebrate Biology, 116 (2), 142 150

Logan A., 1975. Ecological observations on the Recent articulate brachiopod Argyrotheca bermudana Dall from the Bermuda platform. Bull. mar. Sci., 25 (2), 186-204.

Logan A., 1976. Bermuda's only Brachiopod - a link with the past. Newsl. Bermuda biol. sta. Res., 5 (1), 2.

Logan A., 1977. Révision des espèces du phylum Brachiopoda Dumérill, 1806, décrites par A. Risso. Ann. Mus. Hist. nat. Nice, 5, 151.

Logan A., 1977. Reef-dwelling articulate brachiopods from Grand Cayman, B. W. I. Proc. 3rd intern. Coral Reef Symp., Miami, p. 88-93.

Logan A., 1979. The Recent Brachiopoda of the Mediterranean Sea. Bull. Inst. océanogr., Monaco, 72 (1434), 1-112.

Logan A., 1983. Brachiopoda collected by CANCAP I-III expeditions to the South-east North Atlantic, 1976-1978. Zool. Mededel. Leiden, 57 (18), 165-189.

Logan A., 1988. Brachiopoda collected by CANCAP IV and VI expeditions to the south-east North Atlantic. 1980-1982. Zool. Med., Leiden 62 (5), 59-74.

Logan A., 1988. A new thecideid genus Pajaudina (Brachiopoda, Recent) from the south-east North Atlantic. J. Paleont., 62 (4), 546-551.

Logan A., 1988. A sublittoral hard substrate epibenthic community below 30 m in Head Harbour Passage, New Brunswick, Canada. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci., 27, 445-459.

Logan A., 1990. Recent brachiopoda from the Snellius and Luymes Expeditions to the Surinam-Guyana shelf, Bonaire-Curaçao, and Saba bank, Caribbean sea, 1966 and 1969-1972. Zool. Mededelingen, Leiden, 63 (11), 123-136.

Logan A., 1993. Recent brachiopods from the Canarian-Cape Verdean region: diversity, biogeographic affinities, bathymetric range and life habits. Cour. Forsch.-Inst. Senckenberg, 159, 229-233.

Logan A., 1998. Recent Brachiopoda from the oceanographic expedition SEAMOUNT 2 to the north-eastern Atlantic in 1993. Zoosystema, 20 (4), 549-562.

Logan A., 2001. Recent cave-dwelling brachiopods from Western Portugal and Madeira. Bol. Mus. Mun. Funchal, Sup. n° 6, 65-73.

Logan A., 2003. Marine fauna of the Mljet National Park (Adriatic Sea, Croatia). 3. Brachiopoda. Natura Croatica, (Zagreb), 12 (4), 233-243.

Logan A., 2004. Ecological, Reproductive and Ontogenetic Features in Pajaudina atlantica Logan (Thecideidae, Brachiopoda, Recent) from the Canary Islands. Marine Ecology, 25 (3) , 207-215.

Logan A., 2005. A new lacazelline species (Brachiopoda, Recent) from the Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean. Systematics and Biodiversity, 3 (1), 97-104.

Logan A., 2008. Holocene thecideide brachiopods from the north-western Pacific Ocean: systematics, life habits and ontogeny. Systematics and Biodiversity, 6 (3), 405-413.

Logan A. , 1987. Neogene paleontology in the northern Dominican Republic. 6. The Phylum Brachiopoda. Bull. Amer. Paleontology, 93 (328), 44-55, pl. 12.

Logan A. & H. Zibrowius, 1994. A new genus and species of rhynchonellid (Brachiopoda, recent) from submarine caves in the Mediterranean Sea. P. S. Z. N. I.: Marine Ecology, 15 (1), 77-88.

Logan A. & J. P. A. Noble, 1975. A Recent shallow-water brachiopod community from the bay of Fundy. Marit. Sediments, 7 (2), 85-91.

Logan A. & J.P.A. Noble, 1983. Recent brachiopods from Malta. Central Mediterr. naturalist, 1 (2), 33-42.

Logan A. & M. A. Bitner, 2013. New records of Recent Brachiopoda from the Red Sea with a description of a new species. Zootaxa, 3746 (1), 161-174.

Logan A. & P. Baker, 2013. The development and shell microstructure of the pseudodeltidium and interarea in thecideide brachiopods. Palaeontology, 56 (2), 433-455.

Logan A. & S. L. Long, 2001. Shell morphology and geographical distribution of Neocrania (Brachiopoda, Recent) in the eastern North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. System. Ass. Sp. Vol. Ser., 63, 71-79.

Logan A., A. Tomasovych, M. Zuschin, & B. Grill, 2008. Recent brachiopods from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Fossils and Strata, 54, 299-310.

Logan A., Bianchi C. N., Morri C. & H. Zibrowius, 2004. The present-day Mediterranean brachiopod fauna: diversity, life habits, biogeography and paleobiogeography. Scientia marina, 68 (suppl. 1), 163-170.

Logan A., Bianchi C. N., Morri C., Zibrowius H. & G. Bitar, 2002. New records of Recent brachiopods from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Annali del Museo civico di Storia naturale "G. Doria", 94, 407-418.

Logan A., F. H. Page & M. L. H. Thomas, 1984. Depth zonation of epibenthos on sublittoral hard substrates off Beer island, bay of Fundy, Canada. Estuar. coast. Shelf Sci., 18 (5), 571-592.

Logan A., Hoffmann J. & Lüter C., 2015. Checklist of Recent thecideoid brachiopods from the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, with a description of a new species of Thecidellina from Europa Island and a re-description of T. blochmann Dall from Christmas Island. Zootaxa, 4013 (2), 225-234.

Logan A., J. P. A. Noble & G. R. Webb, 1975. An unusal attachment of a Recent brachiopod, Bay of Fundy, Canada. J. Paleont., 49 (3), 557-558.

Logan A., MacKinnon D. I. & J. E. Phorson, 1997. Morphology, distribution, life habits and phylogenetic affinities of the recent brachiopod Gwynia capsula (Jeffreys). PSZN, Marine ecology, 18 (3), 239-252.

Logan A., Wirtz P. & Swinnen F., 2009. New record of Novocrania (Brachiopoda, Craniida) from Madeira, with notes on Recent brachiopod occurrences in the Macaronesian archipelagos. Arquipelago. Life and Marine Sciences, 24, 17-22.

Lüter C., Hoffmann J. & A. Logan, 2008. Cryptic speciation in the Recent thecideide brachiopod Thecidellina in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 98, 405-413.

Merkel C., E. Griesshaber, K. Kelm, R. Neuser, G. Jordan, A. Logan, W. Mader & W.W. Schmahl, 2007. Micromechanical properties and structural characterization of modern inarticulated brachiopod shells. Journal of Geophysical Research, 112, G02008.

Noble J. P. A. & Logan A., 1981. Sise- frequency distributions and taphonomy of Brachiopods: a recent model. Palaeogeog. Palaeoclimat. Palaeoecol., 36 (1-2), 87-105.

Noble J. P., Logan A., Webb G. R., 1976. The Recent Terebratulina community in the rocky subtidal zone of the Bay of Fundy. Lethaia, 9, 1-17.

Simon E., Hiller N., Logan A., Theuerkauff D. & Mottequin B., 2019. Recent thecideide brachiopods from a submarine cave in the Department of Mayotte (France), northern Mozambique Channel. Zootaxa, 4613 (2), 201–239.

Simon E., Logan A., Zuschin M., Mainguy J. & B. Mottequin, 2016. Lenticellaria and Hillerella, new kraussinoid genera (Kraussinoidea, Brachiopoda) from Indo-Pacific and Red Sea waters: evolution in the subfamily Megerliinae. Zootaxa, 4137 (1), 1-34.

Simon E., Lüter C., Logan A. & Mottequin B., 2018. Recent thecideide brachiopods (Thecideida, Thecideoidea) from northern Sulawesi (Indonesia) with discovery of a new Thecidellina species (Thecidellinidae). Zootaxa, 4526 (4), 481-515.

von Allmen K, Nagler T., Pettke T, Hippler D, Griesshaber E, Logan A, , 2010. Eisenhauer A & Samankassou E -. Stable isotope profiles (Ca, O, C) through modern brachiopod shells of T. septentrionalis and G. vitreus: Implications for calcium isotope paleo-ocean chemistry. Chemical Geology, 269 (3-4), 210-219.

Webb G. R., A. Logan & J. P. A. Noble , 1976. Occurence and significance of brooded larvæ in a recent Brachiopod, Bay of Fundy, Canada. J. Paleont., 50, 869-870.

Zaky A.M., Brand U., Buhl D., Blamey N., Bitner M.A., Logan A., Gaspard D. & A. Popov, 2019. Strontium isotope geochemistry of modern and ancient archives: tracer of secular change in ocean chemistry. Revue canadienne des Sciences de la Terre, 56 (3), 245-264.

Collated by Christian C. Emig, BrachNet Database