The Butte Mineral and Gem Show will be held at the Butte Civic Center this Saturday and Sunday.

That means Dr. Pete Knudsen has been a very busy man. Knudsen first went to this show as a senior at Great Falls High School in 1964, and he has been instrumental in most of them since.

Knudsen, 77, was also instrumental in making Montana Tech the school that it is today.

For more than 36 years, Knudsen taught at his alma mater. He served as the head of the Mining Engineering department and Dean of the School of Mines and Engineering.

In 2019, Chancellor Don Blackketter awarded the Chancellor’s Medallion to Knudsen. Among the many impacts to the university Blackketter cited was Knudsen leading the charge and gaining approval for stand-alone mechanical, electrical and civil engineering programs, Montana Tech’s first PHD in material science, establishing the Underground Mine Education Center and advising a large number of graduate students.

Knudsen was also the long-time director of the Montana Tech Alumni Band. He still performs with the Butte Symphony.

This weekend, you can get a close up look at Knudsen’s passion for minerals and gems. You will get a chance to see it from the members of the Butte Mineral and Gem Club. The show will feature 39 member displays. 

Tom Harmon of Savage loaned his fantastic display of Montana Agate to Montana Tech, and that display will be part of the show at the Civic Center. Master Knapper Ed Guillen will put on a demonstration, and 18 retail dealers of fine jewelry, miners, fossils and gems will be on hand. 

There will also be a kids’ corner and a silent auction. Admission is just $3, and children under 12 will be admitted free. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Listen in as Dr. Knudsen discusses his passion with minerals and gems, his career at Montana Tech and what to expect at this weekend’s show.