It is with great sadness that the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) announces the passing of José “Pepo” R. Arce Alleva, SEG Fellow and 2026 SEG President-Elect, on December 2, 2025. A devoted member, respected leader, and passionate advocate for geophysics, Pepo’s loss will be deeply felt across SEG and the global geoscience community.

Pepo earned a bachelor’s degree in geology and geophysics from the University of Missouri–Rolla in 1991 and a master’s degree in geophysical engineering from the University of Arizona in 1993. After completing his studies, he returned to his home country of Peru, where he founded and led Arce Geofísicos, a regional geophysical contracting and consulting firm specializing in mining, near-surface, and groundwater applications. Over more than three decades, Pepo expanded the firm’s regional presence, with a strong emphasis on the design, execution, processing, and modeling of geophysical data across a wide range of methods.

Pepo’s relationship with SEG spanned nearly four decades. He joined the Society in the late 1980s and served as president of the SEG student chapter in Rolla in 1990. Throughout his career, he remained deeply engaged with SEG, attending nearly every Annual Meeting and contributing extensively through volunteer leadership. His service included chairing the Mining and Mineral Exploration Committee, the Near-Surface Geophysics Technical Section, the Meetings Review and Planning Committee, and the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. He also served on the SEG Council as a district representative and participated in numerous committees, including the Latin America Regional Advisory Committee, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Committee, Field Camps Committee, Evaluations Subcommittee, and the AGU-SEG Collaboration Committee.

Beyond SEG, Pepo played a significant leadership role within the broader geoscience community. He served as president of the Peruvian Geological Society from 2010–2011 and presided over the Latin American Geological Congress in 2008, an event in which SEG was an active participant. He also held multiple leadership and committee roles within the Society of Economic Geologists, where he was an active Fellow and previously served as regional vice president for South America.

Pepo was widely respected not only for his technical expertise, but also for his generosity, mentorship, and commitment to advancing geoscience globally—particularly across Latin America. His dedication to service, collaboration, and professional integrity leaves a lasting legacy within SEG and beyond.

On behalf of the entire SEG community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Pepo’s family, friends, and colleagues. He will be deeply missed. A full obituary will be published in the January issue of SEG Discovery.