Obituary
Remembering Bob Affholder: A legacy of passion and innovation in the CIPP, tunneling industries
(UI) — Robert (Bob) Wilson Affholder, a true industry giant by any measure or perspective, passed away in late July after a brilliant career that amazed, impressed and established his footprint upon essence of both cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation and the tunneling industry.
CIPP, tunneling pioneer Robert “Bob” Affholder passes
A pioneer in trenchless rehabilitation and boring/tunneling, Robert "Bob" Affholder passed away Friday, July 26.
Pipeline industry veteran Mark Roberts passes away at 75
Louisiana Pipeliners Association founder Mark Roberts was active in the pipeline industry for 25 years with near perfect attendance. Under his leadership, the Association raised and awarded over $2 million in scholarships to hundreds of students since its founding.
Frank Canon, renowned figure in HDD industry, dies at 77
Frank Lynn Canon, 77, a pioneer in the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry, died on Jan. 5 in Magnolia, Texas. Born in Alpena, Mich., Canon’s journey from a lime-green polyester suit on his first day as an oilfield mud engineer to becoming a legendary educator in drilling fluids has left an indelible mark on the HDD community.
James Q. Crowe, fiber optic, telecommunications pioneer dies at 74
Crowe Company announced that James Q. Crowe, a technology and telecommunications visionary who spearheaded the fiber optic telecommunications revolution, died July 2nd in Paradise Valley, Arizona, after a battle with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
NASSCO, Rehab Icon Irv Gemora Dies at 86
Underground infrastructure industry icon Irvin “Irv” Gemora, 86, of Towson, Md., passed away on Dec. 4, 2022.
Business News
Latest industry news
Vermeer Chair Emeritus, former CEO Bob Vermeer dies at 78
(UC) — Bob Vermeer, former Vermeer CEO and current chair emeritus, has died at the age of 78 after battling cancer, Vermeer Corporation said in a statement.
Tulsa Rig Iron VP, co-owner Troy Young dies in boating accident
It is with a very heavy heart that we inform you that Tulsa Rig Iron Vice President and co-owner Troy Young passed away in a tragic boating accident over the Memorial Day weekend.
Tim Killoren, former PCCA chairman, dies at 69
Timothy Donald Killoren, former PCCA Chairman and longtime board member, passed away on June 6 at the age of 69. He served as president of Poygan Land Company and president of the Power and Communication Contractors Association from 2015-2016.
Industry icon Frank Forest passes away at 80
Sharewell Founder Frank (Buddy) Calvin Forest, 80, passed away peacefully with his wife, Dawn, at his side on May 12, 2022. He was born on Dec. 28, 1941, in Liberty, Texas, and was the youngest son of Calvin Bert and Tina Forest.
Passing of Dr. Reynold King Watkins
Dr.Reynold King Watkins died at age 101 on Aug. 30 and a service to celebrate his life will be held on Sept. 4 in Utah.
Respected HDD Industry Pioneer Dies at 72
Respected HDD industry pioneer with more than 35 years of experience, Ron Halderman has died at 72.
Industry Icon Bob Westphal Passes Away
Robert Westphal, a 55-year veteran of the construction industry, has passed away due to complications from the coronavirus.
In Memoriam
Maretta Faye Tubb, a former Underground Construction contributing editor commonly known as Rita, died Sept. 27 at age 80.
In Memoriam
William (“Bill”) Riel, well-known and accomplished in the field of directional drilling, died Aug. 7, in Orrville, Ohio, at age 74. A mechanical engineer who graduated from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio, he worked in the field of directional drilling for most of his professional ca..
In Memoriam
John William “Bill” Gilman of Greer, S.C., died last fall at age 73.
In Memoriam: Richard Kinsel, Jr
In MemoriamRichard Kinsel, Jr., died Oct. 2, 2018, in Friendswood, Texas. He founded Kinsel Industries Inc., a Houston-area civil construction firm primarily involved in water/sewer business, in 1976. Under his leadership, the company became a pioneer in trenchless pipe construction/rehabilitation ..
In Memoriam: Glen Barton, Winston Johnson
Glen Barton, former Caterpillar Inc. chairman and CEO, died Oct. 24, 2016, in Peoria, IL, at age 77 Barton retired in 2004 after nearly 43 years of Caterpillar service. Starting as a college graduate trainee and rising through the ranks in numerous marketing, general management and executive positi..
In Memoriam
Founder Of Carylon Corporation Dies Julius L. Hemmelstein, founder and CEO of the Carylon Corporation, passed away on July 24. Hemmelstein began his venture in the water and wastewater industry in 1949 with a single pickup truck and a patented rodding machine. He opened National Power Rodding Corp..
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