Falklands : Geologist John Splettstoesser passes away at 82 Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network 20.02.2016 John Splettstoesser, a geologist who was born and grew up in the Minneapolis area of Minnesota has passed away on January 25, 2016, at age 82. Geologist John Splettstoesser passes away at 82 John Splettstoesser, a geologist who was born and grew up in the Minneapolis area of Minnesota has passed away on January 25, 2016, at age 82. John earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering at the University of Minnesota, with graduate work in Industrial Engineering.