Larry Oliveria -- Colorado
From a very young age I can remember being interested in ... everything. That desire to learn was not diminished with time. I have an insatiable need to know how everything works.
For the last eighteen years I have been trying to inculcate my desire to learn into high school students as a science teacher. Sometimes I could manage it and sometimes I could not but all in all it has been a rewarding experience. I recently resigned my teaching position to pursue a life-long hobby as a profession -- a necessary trade off.
For many years my friend, Dr. John Scandizzo and I have enjoyed collecting and preparing fossils, ancient coins and artifacts. We never dreamed that we might do such a thing full-time. now the dream is becoming a reality. Our goal is to provide professional fossil preparation service as well as museum quality molding and casting of rare and important fossils for use by researchers, museums, schools, and collectors. We will use the Internet to promote our activities. So check back to see what we are doing from time to time.
I have prepared and conserved many types of fossils, ancient coins, and artifacts. I am mostly self-taught in this regard. While living in England some years ago I was hired by an archaeological firm to be the conservator of ancient metal artifacts found at two Roman excavations. I also worked full-time as an excavator. Currently I plan to do volunteer fossil preparation at the Denver Natural History Museum.
John Scandizzo -- California
I am a physician by vocation and an amateur paleontologist by avocation. Ever since I took comparative anatomy in college, I've worked toward becoming a naturalist -- collecting rocks, minerals, fossils, and antique scientific instruments associated with natural science.
The decades of fossil collecting lead to trial and error preparations and only with time was I able to hone my skills. My classical background in Greek and Latin also lead to my collecting science books going back to the sixteenth century. The opportunity to translate some of these works has been rewarding.
I recently retired as a practicing physician and now with my friend, Larry Oliveria, I will be able to pursue my avocation as a vocation. Boy, what an opportunity!
E-mail us or fax us --- see what we can do for you. We appreciate your business. L&J