Yoram Shoham

It is with great sadness that we share that Yoram Shoham, 81, passed away on October 2, 2024. Yoram was a loving husband and father, gifted scientist, dynamic leader, and exceptional human being. Born in 1943 and raised in Tel Aviv during the early years of the State of Israel, Yoram was a proud Israeli and Texan. He graduated with honors from Tel Aviv University with a B.Sc. in applied math and physics. The state later sponsored his graduate studies at Stanford and the Colorado School of Mines, during which time he saw the Beatles perform at the Red Rocks Amphitheater – one of his most cherished memories. He completed his Ph.D in geophysics at Tel Aviv University and came to Texas for postdoctoral research at UT Austin. Yoram loved the Earth and its natural beauty. As a teen, he was active in Israel’s Tzofim youth movement and led scout groups on cross-country hikes along the Shvil Israel. He loved to scuba dive, especially in the Red Sea. He had a photographic memory for maps and an infallible knowledge of geography. A world traveler and global citizen, he had endless curiosity about places, cultures, and above all, people. Yoram was a distinguished geophysicist and worked for Shell Oil for over two decades. At Shell, Yoram did it all; from manager of geophysics research to vice president for Exploration and Production (E&P) to chief geophysicist for Shell International in The Netherlands, and finally vice president of E&P external relations worldwide. Yoram served on advisory boards at Colorado School of Mines, Stanford, MIT, UT Austin, and Rice University. Yoram was involved with the Society of Exploration Geophysics for over 40 years and helped to internationalize the organization. He chaired the first SEG conference in Moscow in 1992, which coincided with the collapse of the Soviet Union, and other conferences in Beijing, St. Petersburg, and Moscow. Yoram received an honorary medal from the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences and was awarded Life Membership with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. Yoram is survived by his wife of fifty years, Bella; his children, Tammy (Marco), Sharon (Ken), and Danny (Hayley). He treasured his role as Saba to his beloved grandchildren, Ellie, Evan, Dalia, and Noa. He was predeceased by his parents, Aliza and Zvi, and his sister, Varda. A graveside service will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Emanu El Memorial Park at 8341 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77074.

Yoram Shoham

September 2, 1943 - October 2, 2024