Duane N. Bloom ’65 of Golden, Colo., died on December 7, 2009. He was born in 1933 in Shafer, Minn., and attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned a degree in geological engineering. In 1956, Duane married the love of his life, Betty. Duane served as a helicopter pilot in the Navy and attained the rank of lieutenant. After completing his tour of duty, Duane attended Mines and received a doctorate in geological engineering. As one of the founders of Earth Sciences Inc., he helped develop the Sherman Mine in Leadville, Colo., and the El Plomo Mine in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, and pursued projects in Montana, Canada and California. He co-developed and implemented the Petrex system, a geochemical hydrocarbon prospecting technique. Duane was also active in the Golden community. For 37 years he was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where he served as president and sang in the choir. He and Betty regularly attended the Central City Opera. Duane also maintained ties to Minnesota, where he developed dairy, soybean, hay and maple syrup operations at the Bloom family farm. He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter, Beth Bugosh; sons, Daniel, David and Nelson; mother, Muriel; brothers, Byron and William; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.