Richard F. Burczyk of Golden, Colo., died Dec. 10, 2014. Born in 1946, he graduated from St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minn. and then received a master’s degree in physics from the University of Wyoming. After retiring in 2003 from a 29-year career at Coors Brewing Co., Dick became an adjunct instructor for the College of Engineering and Computational Sciences at Mines in 2005.

A U.S. Army veteran, Dick was active in the Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation and the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center Players. An eagle scout, he also served on the Jefferson County Public Schools Capital Asset Advisory Committee.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Ann Burczyk. He is survived by his wife, Laura; children, Jim, David,and Elizabeth Burczyk; and four grandchildren.

Robert H. Doll�’56 of Bonita Springs, Fla., died Sept. 3, 2013. Born in 1934, in Casper, Wyo., he graduated from Mines with a professional degree in petroleum engineering. As a student, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Theta Tau. He was an outstanding athlete and played varsity football for Mines for four years; Bob was also a member of the track team. After serving in the U.S.Army, Bob was employed for 29 years by Mobil Oil. He worked in Columbia, South America; Libya; Nigeria; Norway; New York City; and New Orleans.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ann; children, Donald, Daniel, Pamela Duckworth, and Matthew; sister, Peggy Bogus; and five grandchildren.

 

Spring 2015 - DunhamRichard ‘Rich’ D. Dunham�’74 of Midland, Texas, died Feb. 13, 2014. Born in 1952, in Lamar, Colo., he received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Mines, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and Blue Key honor society. Rich began his career at Phillips Petroleum, and on international assignment in London, he met and later married Margaret Noakes in Ashingdon, Essex, England. After working for GPM Gas Corporation, Rich retired early from the oil and gas industry, earned his MBA from the University of Texas’ Permian Basin, and started his own business, The Ashingdon Ltd. Co.

A life member of the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association, Rich was involved in Rotary International and the Permian Basin Home Builders Association. He enjoyed being outside and running, with the goal of one day completing a marathon.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Margaret; mother, Lucy Dunham; children,Emily Dunham ’06 and Christian; and brother, Chuck.

Marvin R. Hewitt�’50 of Tulsa, Okla., died Feb. 9, 2014. Born in 1926, he served in the U.S. Navy for three years on Saipan in the Marianas Islands. The same year that he graduated from Mines with a professional degree in geophysical engineering, he married Jene Baker.

Marv was a geophysicist with Amoco for his entire career, initially with the Pan American Petroleum Company (which merged with Standard Oil of Indiana to form Amoco), until he retired in 1987. The company transferred him multiple times, which included stints in Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Calgary, Alberta. He served as president of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and was a member of the President’s Council at Mines for more than a decade. In 2000, Marv and Jene took their entire family on a cruise to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jene; children, Dona Sherwood, Kay Dorris and Kim Saunders; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and nephew, Richard L. Hewitt ’82, MS ’89 and ’92, PhD ’92.

Hildebrandt2Warren W. Hildebrandt�’59 of Seal Beach, Calif., died May 14, 2014. Born in 1937, he graduated from Mines with a professional degree in geological engineering, and as a student, was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He began his career with Getty Oil Company and under their military leave policy, fulfilled his ROTC commitment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers then returned to Getty.

After his military service, he became a petroleum engineer and in 1973, was assigned to Los Angeles in Getty’s international production division. One of his major accomplishments was as coordinator for a consortium of international companies that designed and built the Discoverer Seven Seas, a state-of-the-art, deep-water drillship. After Getty merged with Texaco, Warren worked as a consultant for various companies throughout the rest of his career. He was a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Petroleum Institute.

In recent years Warren served as Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association section coordinator for the Seal Beach/Los Angeles area, an E-Days host and Send-off event host. He was also a member of Mines Heritage Society.

A lover of Dixieland music, he began playing the banjo at age 56 and cofounded the seven-piece Coyote Hills Jazz Band in 1995. Warren enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, and spending time at the beach. He coached youth basketball, T-ball, and baseball teams for many years.

He was predeceased by his son, Scott. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Bonnie; children, Cari Hildebrandt and Todd; and one grandson.

 

Spring '15 - INESSGilbert T. Iness�’94 of Ocala, Fla., died Sept. 18, 2011. Born in 1969, he received his bachelor’s degree in engineering, mechanical specialty, from Mines and was a member of Mines Little Theater, and the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP). His career took him to Trane, Shaw Industries, Behr Inc., and MotorGuide. An avid poker player, he progressed to the world series of poker, Las Vegas, in 2006. Gilbert enjoyed singing and karaoke and was a cartoon artist.

He was predeceased by his step-father, Don Merrill. His father, Charles Iness died in 2014. He is survived by his mother, Helen Merrill; his sisters, Debra Ward, Mitzi Pentycoft, and Natalie Blount; and two nieces.

 

Spring '15 - JacksonFrederick ‘Rick’ D. Jackson MS ’94 of Denver, Colo., died Oct. 6, 2014. Born in 1955, he received his master’s degree in math from Mines and his bachelor’s degree in math from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He was a computer analyst for the Bureau of Reclamation from 1993 to 1997. From 1996 to 2010, he was president of his own company, Offline Inc. He had brief stints with General Dynamics C4 Systems, SWCM, Mphasis’ US, NewGen Technologies Corp. as a software engineer, and Kaiser Permanente, where he was a senior web developer. He was a life member of the Colorado School of Mines Alumni Association.

Rick was predeceased by his parents, Fred and Ruth Jackson, and his sister, Mary. He is survived by his sisters, Sharon Jackson ’94, Marj Lee, and Cynthia and Robert E. Crumb ’61, MS ’67; several nieces, including Rachel and David Stokowski ’99, and nephews, including Nathan Ostrander ’07.

Spring '15 - JohnstonWilliam J. Johnston ‘51 of Houston, Texas, died Oct. 25, 2011. Born in 1929, in Lamar, Colo., he graduated from Mines with a professional degree in petroleum engineering. As a student, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After serving in the U.S. Army, Bill’s career as a petroleum engineers panned almost 60 years, and included employment at Humble Oil, Superior Oil and Bart De Laat and Associates. A history buff and bridge aficionado, he also enjoyed many years with the Hey Lollies Square Dancing Fellowship.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sherry; sisters, Sylvia Bartay and Lizbeth Anderson; children, Catherine Roberts, William James, Ann Lauer, and Lynne Booth; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Spring '15 - KidnayArthur J. Kidnay�’56, DSc ’68 of Arvada, Colo., died Jan. 6, 2015. Born in 1934, in Milwaukee, Wis., he graduated from Mines with a professional degree in petroleum refining engineering in 1956, followed by his doctorate in chemical engineering and petroleum refining in 1968. Art was professor emeritus of chemical engineering at Mines, served as a member of the Mines faculty for 21 years, and was head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Refining from 1982 to 1990. He was named dean of graduate studies and research in 1990. After his retirement from Mines in 1998, he continued to teach short courses for Special Programs and Continuing Education (SPACE). Art supported the university as a member of the President’s Council for more than two decades. As a student at Mines, he was a member of the Tau Beta Pi honor society.

After graduating from Mines, he was an engineer for Monsanto Chemical Company and a research engineer for the National Bureau of Standards. He also received his master’s degree in 1960 from the University of Colorado.

A fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a member and former chairman of its Rocky Mountain section, and a member of Sigma Xi, Art’s research interests included applied thermodynamics, vapor-liquid equilibria, and thermophysical properties of fluids and mixtures. He built several vapor-liquid equilibria apparatuses at Mines.

In 2013 he received the Donald L. Katz Award from the Gas Processors Association for accomplishments in gas processing research and engineering education. His name appeared in American Men of Science, now called the American Men and Women of Science, a biographical reference on leading scientists in the United States and Canada. He co-authored 70 publications, including three books. Appointed by the governor of Colorado, he served two terms on the Colorado State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan; children Elizabeth Kidnay, Mary Morrow, and Brian; and six grandchildren.

Spring '15 - LambertsonKarl Lambertson�’49 of Grand Junction, Colo., died July 6, 2010. Born in 1923 in Aspen, Colo., he enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school, serving as a gunner in World War II. His plane was shot down over Munster, Germany, in late 1944, and he was taken prisoner until the end of the war in 1945. Upon his return he attended Mines, graduating with a professional degree in mining engineering. His career was spent in the mining industry, including Union Carbide and Dow Chemical Co.

Karl is survived by his wife of 52 years, Winifred, and son Walter.

 

 

Spring '15 - McDanielsJohn Clifton ‘Bud’ M. McDaniels�’50 of Grand Junction, Colo., died Feb. 12, 2014. Born in 1921, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served in World War II and Korea as a night fighter pilot. On Christmas Day in 1946, he married Louise May, and four years later completed his professional degree in geological engineering at Mines. Bud was employed throughout his career with Chevron Geosciences Co. as a geological engineer in petroleum exploration. His work took him to Wyoming, Montana, Texas, and Perth, Australia. Bud was a member of the President’s Council at Mines for many years as well as the Heritage Society.

He was predeceased by his wife, Louise, and five siblings. He is survived by his stepson, William Mills ’59; siblings, Janet Barnes, Carolyn Scribner, and Beryl Brown; three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

 

Spring '15 -McNeelyWayne E. McNeely�’51 of Enid, Okla., died March 31, 2014. Born in 1925, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943 to 1946. After graduating from Mines with a professional degree in petroleum engineering, he worked for more than 33 years as a production engineer and superintendent for Magnolia Petroleum Co., which became Mobil OilCorp., retiring in 1984. He then worked as a petroleum engineering consultant in Nigeria and Brazil. In 1991, he and his wife, Elva Jean, began working summers in Yellowstone National Park, retiring in 2006. Wayne was a co-patentee of a downhole logging technique, and he received many Mobil Oil Technical Recruiting Awards.

An avid photographer and coin collector, he was a member of several numismatic organizations. Wayne was a member of the American Petroleum Institute,the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and Mensa. He also was a member of the Heritage Society and the President’s Council at Mines.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Elva; children, Virginia McCall, Sylvia Dymarkowski, Donald, and Hugh; siblings, Harold, Shirley Miller and Kittie Stricklett; eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Spring '15 - MilesBruce M. Miles�’56 of Calgary, Alberta, died Oct. 18, 2013. Born in 1933 in High River, Alberta, he earned his professional degree from Mines as a petroleum engineer and then started his career with Marathon Oil and Gas. He worked in the oil and gas investment banking department at the Bank of Montreal before establishing several of his own companies and joint ventures in Calgary: Heritage Resources, Northwood Oil Ltd., Elexco Surveys Ltd., and Ford Resources Ltd. As a student at Mines, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; children, Stephen, Michael, and Peter; brother Graydon; and four grandchildren.

 

Spring '15 - PeelFrederick A. Peel MS ’72 of Arvada, Colo., died March 12, 2009. Born in 1938, he received his bachelor’s degree in geology from Colorado College in 1961 and his master’s degree in geology from Mines. He worked as a mine geologist for United Keno Hill Mines Ltd. in Elsa, Yukon; as a geologist for Hudson’s Bay Oil and Gas Company in Calgary, Alberta; and as an independent consulting geologist in Calgary and Denver.

Fred spent four years in Angola as an exploration manager and a senior geologist. He returned in 1976, working as a senior geologist for CIG Exploration; general and exploration manager for Phelps Dodge Fuel Development; president and exploration manager for Summit Petroleum; and general manager, project manager, and geologist for Geochemical Engineering. From 1989 until his retirement, he was an independent consulting geologist. He enjoyed flying, spending time outdoors, and being involved with business endeavors in mining, petroleum, and environmental reclamation.

Fred’s wife, Phyllis, died in 2014. He is survived by his daughters, Tricia Johnson and Marnie Eddy; and four grandchildren.

Spring '15 - PhiliposeThomas Philipose of Rockville, Md., died Nov. 10, 2014. Born in 1931, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Presidency College – University of Madras and his PhD from the University of Denver. He joined the Mines faculty in 1972 and became a professor emeritus of liberal arts and international studies in 1995. He was the first principal tutor of the McBride Honors Program, established in 1978. A visionary collaboration between Tom, Guy McBride, and Dendy Sloan, the program provided anew and unique focus on public affairs for engineers, continuing over the decades to inspire and motivate Mines students.

Tom was passionate about music, history, architecture, and learning. In his retirement, he shared that passion as a volunteer at the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress, and the National Cathedral. He was a professional tour guide in the Washington, D.C., area and chaperoned two groups on tours of India in 2008 and 2011.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Vimala; daughter, Nalini Anand; and two granddaughters.

Spring '15 - PorterDarrell D. Porter MS ’62 of Englewood, Colo., died July 24, 2013. Born in 1938, he attended Platteville School of Mines, which later became part of the University of Wisconsin in Platteville, where he received his bachelor’s degree in mining engineering. After receiving his master’s degree in mining engineering from Mines, he worked for 17 years at DuPont, where he became one of the foremost explosive experts in the country and a holder of many patents. He also earned his PhD at the University of Minnesota. Following his time at DuPont, he worked for Amoco Oil on the original Rio Blanco Oil Shale project in Colorado, and for SAIC, where he retired in 2000 as senior scientist on the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Las Vegas.

Darrell spent many hours volunteering at a Denver soup kitchen. He and his wife, Tanya, enjoyed traveling to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and Alaska.

He is survived by his wife, Tanya; daughters, Sally Wright and Mary Green; stepchildren Wendy Armstrong and Robert Bradshaw; sister, Janice Davenport; and eight grandchildren.

Spring '15 -ReitzJohn ‘Jack’ A. Reitz�’53 of Pisgah Forest, N.C., died July 19, 2011. Born in 1927, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II, attended classes at Mines for a semester, worked at a mine in Honduras, and returned to Mines to earn his professional degree in mining engineering.

Jack spent his entire career with Ingersoll-Rand. After working in New Jersey and Oklahoma, Jack and his family moved to Costa Rica for eight years and then to Lebanon. They were evacuated from Beirut four years later, amidst bombing during the 1967 Six-Day War with Israel. They lived in Brazil for four years and then moved to Chile, where he experienced the 1973 military takeover of the country. He and his wife, Carol, spent the last eight years of his career in Venezuela. They retired in North Carolina.

Jack enjoyed painting, photography, listening to classical music, traveling, reading, collecting geological specimens, looking at classical cars, playing the flute, and fishing. He spoke three languages.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Carol; children, Stephen, Michael, Jennifer Groeneveld, and Tracy Stephenson; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Spring '15 - SidesGlenn H. Sides�’50 of Englewood, Colo., died Sept. 2, 2014. Born in 1921, he served in World War II as a marine in Okinawa and then received his professional degree in mining engineering from Mines. As a student, he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After a 36-year career with U.S. Steel, he retired as superintendent of mines for the western division. Coal was a part of Glenn’s entire life. He was born in a coal camp in Dora, Alabama by the light of a coal gas lamp.

He was predeceased by his wife, Bess, and is survived by his companion, Ruth Ann Fleming; children, John, Paul, Marilyn Sides, Elizabeth Pears, Lorraine Sides, and Catherine Sides; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

 

 

Spring '15 - SminkDavid E. Smink�’57 of Mountain Home, Ark., died Sept. 17, 2014. Born in 1935, he received his professional degree in petroleum engineering from Mines. Immediately thereafter, he worked for 10 years as an engineer in various positions for Humble Oil (later Exxon) in Texas. He worked five years at Consolidated Oil and Gas before becoming an independent petroleum consultant in Colorado.

As a student, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was on the honor roll three times, participated in ROTC, and was a recipient of the Sconoy Mobil General Petroleum Co. Scholarship during his senior year.

A member of the President’s Council at Mines, Dave was a registered professional engineer in six states, held several patents, and published several technical papers with the Society of Petroleum Engineers. His passions were fishing, hunting, and watching football.

He is survived by his companion, Betty Stanley; children, Tracey ’83 and Glenn M.Vangolen ’81, Stephanie Buchholtz, and Norman; brother, Carl; and one grandchild, Brent Vangolen ’10.

Spring '15 - VersawStanley F. Versaw�’60 of Canon City, Colo., died Sept. 26, 2014. Born in 1938, he received his professional degree in geological engineering from Mines the same year he was commissioned into the U.S. Army. He also received his master’s degree in natural resources in 1988 from Colorado State University. After serving in the army, Stan worked for the USDA Forest Service for 28 years and another 2 years for Davis Engineering Service in Colorado, owned by alumnus Paul B. Davis ’39. At Mines, Stan ran track, played football,was a member of ROTC, and a member of Tau Beta Pi, Blue Key, and Sigma Gamma Epsilon honor societies.

Stan started a long family tradition of attending Mines, with his sons, Randy ’83 and Todd ’88, and nephews, Ronald Versaw ’67, Aaron Nielsen ’97 and Austin Elliott ’14, following in his footsteps. His cousin’s four daughters are all alumnae: Tawnya Chott ’85, Teresa Muhic ’85, Kathleen Thurston ’88, and Tamara Muhic ’82, who died in 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Donna; children, Randall, Douglas, Todd, and Grant; siblings, Raymond, Dorothy Kirkpatrick, Ardell Versaw, and Lorene Byrd; 10 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Spring '15 - WeiszmannRonald F. Weiszmann�’64 of Seminole, Fla., died Dec. 19, 2013. Born in 1941, he received his professional degree in petroleum refining engineering from Mines and his law degree from University of Denver in 1967. A member of the President’s Council at the Colorado School of Mines, Ron was a patent attorney, tax attorney, real estate developer, banker, and travel agent.

As a student at Mines, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and played varsity football. In 1987, in honor of his parents, he established the Fred and Mary Weiszmann Endowed Scholarship Fund at Mines, which provides financial aid to student athletes from single-parent or parentless families. Ron enjoyed running 5K marathons, skiing, and traveling.

He is survived by his two daughters, Michelle Weiszmann and Erica Maciel; sister, Carol Kahler; and one grandson.

Spring '15 - ZunkelAlan ‘Doug’ D. Zunkel MS ’65, DSc ’67 of Vancouver, Wash., died April 9, 2014. Born in 1941, he received his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Missouri School of Mines in 1964, and his master’s and doctor of science degrees from Mines, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as the chapter president. He was also a member of BlueKey, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, and Tau Beta Pi honor societies. A captain in the U.S. Army who worked on NASA’s Apollo lunar module, Doug worked and consulted for Fortune 500 companies, including Exxon,and many law firms nationwide. He established A.D. Zunkel Consultants Inc. in 1986.

He belonged to the Society of Mining Engineers, the Metallurgical Society (president in 1987), and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. A life member of the Philatelist Society, he served as a trustee of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers. Doug established the John P. Hager Undergraduate Scholarship Fund at Mines to support undergraduate students specializing in extractive metallurgy; he was also a member of Mines President’s Council.

An Eagle Scout, Doug was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers fan, a golf enthusiast, a world traveler, a chef, and an expert on the genealogy of his family.

He is survived by his wife Olivia Ann; children, Lea Ann Zunkel and Ken; brother David; and one grandchild.


ALSO REMEMBERED

Clifton H. Barnes, Jr.�’52������������. January 12, 2011
Charles R. Blomberg�’39������������.February 14, 2011
Roger E. Burckert�’53�������������September 27, 2010
Thomas Chyko�’65���������������..November 4, 1992
Robert G. Couch�’36������������������July 5, 2010
Gregory S. Erickson�’86������������.November 7, 2004
Richard H. Fulton�’50��������������.. January 5, 2009
Thomas R. Fulton�’53��������������February 13, 2009
Keith G. George�’59����������������� April 10, 2011
Arthur J. Heiser�’43�����������������.. April 7, 2011
William D. Jackson�’57���������������. April 18, 2011
Rick A. Jeschke MS ’94����������������.July 12, 2013
William A. Mays�’42�����������������.March 9, 2011
Floyd W. Mock�’51����������������.. January 17, 2011
Joseph A. Nenni�’83����������������August 10, 2014
Gerald G. Nicolaysen, Jr.�’71�����������.March 15, 2005
Uno Nummela�’50�����������������October 16, 2010
Arthur P. Pierce�’53���������������.. January 21, 2011
Janis Prieditis�’81�����������������October 31, 2005
Louis L. Scher, IV�’56����������������..May 30, 2010
Zoilo Tolentino, Jr.�’47���������������. April 24, 2010


Memorial gifts to the Colorado School of Mines Foundation are a meaningful way to honor the legacy of friends and colleagues while communicating your support to survivors. For more information, contact Melissa Carrera (303.273.3112 or [email protected]) or visit giving.mines.edu/givingguide.