Listed here are many of the most wonderful and truly talented people we have ever known.
Albert, Roger Alan (12/30/1951 -- 11/17/2005) Roger, a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado, worked as a security guard during the nuclear days at FSV. He also served on the police force in Greeley, Colorado. Later he and his wife went into the restaurant business in Greeley, Colorado and established the ever popular Fat Alberts Restaurant.
Alexander, Donald R. (4/19/1934 -- 7/9/2006) Don was Health Physics Manager at FSV. Don received his doctorate from CSU, he was an active Scout leader and active in local chapters of the Health Physics Society. He retired in 1995 as Manager of Radiation and Environmental Safety at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. He was an active singer and performed on stage with his wife, Anne, in many musicals and operas. Don was also a lay minister in the Unitarian church.
Allen, Edward F. III "Ed Senior," as he was known, passed away on 4/28/2005; he was 70. Ed was a contractor at FSV during the "EQ" years from 1985-1990. He was a specialist in NED Materials Engineering and worked with parts expediting, specification and substitution.
Aragon, Leonard J., 76, passed away Feb. 22, 2008. He worked for PSCo from 1970 to 1996 as a senior technician at Diamond Hill and FSV in the NED division.
Archibeque, Furgencio B. "Benji" (4/3/1950 - 3/26/2004) Benji worked for Ebasco, MKF and others as contract janitorial services.
Bailiff, Keith (2/20/1933 - 8/30/2001) Keith was an electrical foreman for the contract electricians (Sterns or Ebasco) during the very early 70's. He was in charge of the terminating crew in the auxilery control room most of that time. He was a Navy veteran and a member of IBEW Local 68 for 38 years.
Barnett, Kenneth (c. 1931 - 11/2/2002) Ken worked for PSCo at FSV as the Supt. of Operations from 1968-1973. When he retired from the company he was manager of operations at the Bellview Service Center--Metro Production. He worked for PSCo from 1954 until 1986. He was 71.
Bates, George Dexter (3/25/1935 - 8/18/2010) Dexter hired on with PSCo at the Alamosa Steam Generating Station in 1964. He transfered to Maintenance at the Cabin Creek in 1967 and then to FSV maintenance (attached to the H.P. Dept.) at in 1970. Prior to the reactor going critical in 1975 Dex went back into the Mechanical Maintenance Dept. He was again attached to the H.P. Dept. to do their mechanical maintenance. When FSV set up their Training Dept he became a Mechanical Maintenance Training Instructor/Fuel Handler. Dexter finished his long career for PSCo. at the Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility located North of the plant. When all the fuel was removed from the reactor and safely stored on site, he took early retirement
in 1992.
Bates, William S. (12/22/1939 - 2/1/2004) Bill worked as a Lead Security Officer at FSV from 1980 to 1990. After serving in the Air Force, Bill moved to Fort Collins where he worked in local law enforcement. He retired from FSV in 1990.
Bennett, Michael (3/17/1952 - 8/17/1990) Mike was a Lead Security Officer at the Fort from 1981-1990.
Billings, George David * (1/19/1933 - 8/4/2008) Born "a farm boy" in Hannibal, Mo, George was one of the twenty orginal licensed reactor operators of Fort St. Vrain. George worked at FSV from 1968 until 1981 when he became a shift supervisor at the Cherokee power station. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. George loved sports, expecially the Denver Broncos and loved his family. He told family members to "...work hard, love your family, and have fun sometimes."
Bishard, Levi Vernon (12/28/1932 - 9/29/2002) Levi worked for PSCo at FSV from 1970 to 1993. He worked in Maintenance, as a Fuel Handler, and in Engineering. He retired Dec, 93. He served in the Navy during WWII.
Bliss, Ed-- worked as a mechanical engineer at the Holly Service Center and the FSV Field Office from 1971-73.
Boortz, Patsy--worked on special construction QA Projects at FSV for Ebasco Services off and on. She was killed at Commache Peak in Texas during a large mobile crane accident in the late 1980's.
Brewer, Howard J.--worked for PSCo from 1938-1983 and was the first Senior Storekeeper at Fort St. Vrain. Howard passed away on Jan. 5, 2002.
Bronson, Paul (3/12/1927 - 10/15/1994) Worked as a FSV Visitor's Center host. He retired from PSCo as an Energy Management Specialist in 1986. He was also a cherished Boy Scout leader for many years in Weld County (Greeley area).
Cagel, Oren--worked at FSV as a contractor doing data entry for spare parts during the mid 80's.
Caudil, Charlcive "Charly" (1918-7/19/2005)--Charly worked for PSCo and FSV mostly at 39th Ave Engineering and Montbello doing drawings, she was 87.
Chrisler, Terry E (11/15/1943 - 2/9/2004) worked at FSV from 1973 to 1981 in Water Chemistry, Health Physics, and as a SRO Licensed Training Instructor. Terry helped load the first fuel into the reactor.
Cirbo, Raymond J. (3/31/1927 - 3/2/2007) worked for Ebasco in 1969 or 70 in electrical maintenance. Ray was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Craine, Ward (9/17/1925 - 10/28/1995) worked for PSCo at FSV as maintenance manager until 1986.
Daniel, Brent (8/18/1955 - 12/01/2001) of small cell lung cancer. Brent was a contractor during the decommissioning phase of FSV in the health physics dept.
Dice, Tom--Passed away on June 2, 2000 after a long battle with diabetes. He worked for PSCo at FSV from 1970-1994 working in operations as a tender, equipment operator, turbine operator, reactor operator and shift supervisor.
Dickerson, Robert A. (? - 1/17/2004) Bobby worked in FSV maintenance and the training department from 1970-1992.
Dillen, Tandy O. (8/2/1950-1/10/2004) Tandy worked for PSCo at the fort from 1983 to 1990 in the QC and also scheduling and planning. He was a licensed pilot. He was residing in Baroda, Michigan at the time of his death.
Evans, Dennis Wayne (12/8/1940-1/27/2001) Dennis worked for PSCo at Fort St. Vrain from 1970 to 1991 in the operations department serving as reactor operator, shift supervisor and operations superintendent. Dennis also served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963.
Evilsizor, Richard Henry (6/1/1926-8/24/2001) Dick was the GA construction coordinator at FSV from 69-79 and then worked at FSV again from 1985-90. He also worked for Convair, General Dynamics, Gulf Oil, Chevron and Energy International during his long career. Dick served in the Navy in the Pacific during and after WWII. He enjoyed coaching Little League and was an avid sport fan.
Fedie, Michael Lee (10/9/1946-9/25/2000) Mike worked as a technical procedure writer at Fort St. Vrain from 1973 until about 1995. He was employed by General Atomics, Stolley and Westinghouse. Before coming to FSV, Mike had received a B.S. from the University of Minnisota and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy.
Franklin, Wilbur "Bill" * --passed away 4/13/2002. Bill was one of the original 20 reactor operators who received training at the Gulf General Atomics facilities in La Jolla, California. Over the years Bill also served Fort St. Vrain as a shift supervisor and, later as a consultant. Bill was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy and a Mason.
Frost, Richard R. "Dick"--passed away 6/13/2008, he was 71. Dick started at the FSV in 1971 as a GA Startup Engineer. He was laid off in 1975 by GA and started with PSC in the Technical Services Department until 1981 when he left the company. He remained in the nuclear business until 2000 when he retired from Raytheon E&C. Dick served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the commissioning crew on the USS Enterprise. He was a graduate of St. Martin’s College in Olympia, WA.
Gitterman, Morrie--(1925 - 11/16/2009) worked for General Atomics on the FSV project from 1969 to 1975. He was the GA Design Manager of the Systems Engineering Branch and later was GA's site engineering manager.
Graves, Joe--worked for General Atomics at FSV.
Grossman, Seymore L. "Gus"--worked for General Atomics in licensing until '89.
Haake, Gene---passed away on 6/12/2005 at age 83. He was head of system and transient analysis group at GA during the FSV NPP days.
Haller, Lloyd (2/7/1929 - 10/1984) worked for PSCo at Diamond Hill in NED.
Hanson, Eric--worked for PSCo in operations at FSV from 81-91. Eric died in October of 1992.
Harding, Cliff -- deceased July 31, 2003. Cliff worked for PSCo as Senior Storekeeper from 1972-1990. Cliff was a cornerstone at Fort St. Vrain during the nuclear years.
Hawkins, Bill M.--deceased Feb. 2002 at age 87. Bill worked for General Atomics at FSV. Bill and Dick Phelps developed and presented the cold license operator training program intended to help the first 20 PSC operators get their licenses to operate Fort St. Vrain. He worked on startup and became the GA Site Manager before his tenure at FSV ended.
Hiatt, Wayne (1937-1994) Wayne Wayne died of lung cancer. Wayne worked for GA at the prototype Experimental Beryllium Oxide Reactor in Idaho, a high temperature, beryllium moderated, helium cooled reactor concept that was in competition with the HTGR and FSV for a time. He also worked for GA on testing of the FSV PCRV Mock-Up in Sorrento Valley and pressurization to failure. Wayne worked at FSV as a Senior Operations Engineer during construction and plant start-up from ~ 1970 to 1977. Wayne was well liked because of his good nature and sense of humor. Wayne worked for Stearns-Rodgers as a Start-Up Engineer after leaving FSV and up to the time of his death. Wayne served in the Navy and served on the USS Enterprise (the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier) during the Bay-of-Pigs Invasion in 1961.
Hottinger, Ken--was PSCo mechanical engineering supervisor at the Holly Service Center.
Kanton, Vernon--Vernon was the general electrical foremen for Ebasco during the original construction of FSV. He passed away July 10, 1991.
Kennedy, Jack (1/1/1930-10/28/2005) Jack served as the GA Safety and Licensing Engineer from the late 1970s through the 1980s. He retired from GA in 1994.
Koshio, Sam (1/23/1917-7/11/1993) worked for PSCo at FSV in the maintenance department and was the Fort's premier gardener and "resident philosopher". After his death, Fort Lupton renamed their city park in his honor. [PHOTO]
Lambert, Duane--Duane began working for PSCo in 1949. He served at FSV at various times on electrical issues. He retired in 1986 from the Hayden station and was deceased June 16, 1998.
LeBlanc, Ina--on Feb. 11, 2003. Ina was one of the pioneers at Fort St. Vrain. She was one of the most influential people of her time in her role as clerical supervisor at the plant as well as Diamond Hill.
Liebelt, Jim--was electrical supervisor at FSV until 1983. He passed away in Feb. 1994.
Lindsey-Chesnutt, Brenda Kaye--was Senior Dosimetry clerk for SEG during decommissioning. She married our long time friend and worker, Sam Chesnutt, in Mar. 1996 and passed away in Mar. 1998.
Luna, Sal--passed away on May 10, 1999. He worked for GA as a Control & Electrical Engineer. Sal was also known as "Captain FlameMastic" for his work on cable separation during the hectic years from 1975 to 1979.
Major, John A.--worked for PSCo in maintenance at FSV from 88-90 and was deceased in 1993.
Mayer, Erving "Erv" L. --worked for Gulf General Atomics and was a principal design engineer for the helium circulators. He later contracted through Butler Services and finally joined Public Service Company working in the nuclear engineering department at FSV.
McMahan, Peggy--was host and supervisor of the Visitors Center at FSV from 1970-1985.
Meier, Edward J.--passed away April 1998. Ed was a working foreman and part of the original maintenance staffing of FSV. He was also affectionately known as the head burrito maker and chief chili master. He worked at FSV from 1970 to 1986.
Michaud, Paul W. (9/15/1955 - 4/1/2009) Paul was one of the last NRC resident inspectors assigned to FSV.
Miller, Donald David (9/12/1929 - 8/1/2011) Don was a supervisor in the radiochemistry department. He always had a smile and a great story. He started at FSV in 1979 and retired on 12/31/1992. Don served in the US Air Force for over 27 years, retiring in 1979 prior to starting work at FSV.
Miller, Sandra Kay (2/17/1947 - 5/14/2002) Sandy worked at FSV for GA and Ebasco as a secretary in QA and QC during the years 1969-1972. At the time of her death, Sandy lived in Ft. Collins.
Miles, Mike--d. 5/7/2002. Mike worked for SEG at FSV in Rad Protection/Health Physics during most of defueling and decommissioning. He is probably best known for his expertise and work ethic. He was working at the Duratek facilities in O
Oak Ridge, TN at the time of his death.
Neb, Ron H--d. 9/22/2006. Ron worked at FSV in construction for Sterns.
Newport, Paul --d. 4/9/2006. Paul was the second PSCo storekeeper to work at FSV (according to the late Cliff Harding). Paul was retired from the Seventh Avenue Service Center in Denver. He worked for PSCo from 1953 to 1986. Paul was survived by his wife Andrea, son Roger, daughter Becky, 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and numerous other family members.
Oliver, Jack * (6/15/1928 - 3/9/1992) PSCo shift supervisor for many years.
Olson, Charles "Chuck" G. (4/26/1943 - 10/9/2005) Chuck worked at FSV in the PSCo I&C Maintenance or "Results" department from 1971 thru 1981 when he transferred to Valmont Station. He retired in July of 2002. Chuck was an extremely talented technician who was probably best know by his zanny antics. He could find amusement in the most dismal situation and always brought that fun to the attention of everyone around. He got us through some hard times. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and loved fly fishing and wood working.
Olson, Dr. Hilding Gunnar ("Ollie") (5/4/1922 - 11/24/2005) Dr. Olson was a WWII veteran who served as a US Navy engineering officer and pilot. He served at Fort St. Vrain as a consultant to the nuclear training and engineering departments. He was also a consultant and license examiner for the US Nuclear Regulatory Comission. He retired in 1994 and was living in San Angelo, Texas at the time of his death.
Owen, Jon E. (10/4/1935 - 12/17/1998) Jon began working at FSV in 1972 in the maintenance department. He was a welder for a long time and was a maintenance supervisor at the time of his retirement on Nov. 11, 1990.
Pettinger, Albert (9/24/1920 - 3/27/1998) PSCo maintenance and Results valve shop.
Powers, Gary--(3/16/1944 - 1/16/2007) worked for PSCo in maintenance scheduling 1975-1985. Gary was born in Brainerd, Minnesota. He was an Air Force veteran, and spent most of his career in the construction industry.
Przybyski, Marty L.--(5/21/1963 - 3/18/2007) worked at FSV for PSC & MKF from 1985-92 in operations, training, and in safety.
Pursley, Jim--(died Feb. 1990) was a PSCo I&C Technician at FSV.
Rausch, Will--(1953 - 6/9/2006) worked for NED Materials Engineering through Manpower Services during the first part of decommissioning assisting with spare parts and data entry for the fuel handling machine.
Ray, Ralph (3/7/1934 - 2/12/1999) Ralph was also known as "5x5" due to his rather rotund statue. He worked as a security guard and was known for his great sense of humor and incredibly loud laughter!
Reader, Jim (4/6/1936 - 5/1976) was a site electrical engineer for PSCo. 1970-1975.
Reed, Jim--Supt. of Construction for Sterns in the early 70's.
Reneaud, Julian--was mechanical engineer for GA.
Rodell, John W. Jr.--worked at FSV for Ebasco and was deceased Mar. 24, 1992.
Schleiger, Timothy E.--3/4/41--3/8/2005. Tim worked at Fort St. Vrain from 1970 through 1996. During that time he held
many jobs at the plant including maintenance helper, health physics technician, health physicist, health physics supervisor,
and Superintendant of H.P and Chemistry. Tim was very proud to have served in the US Navy. He fought a gallant fight against cancer for many years and was an inspiration to others.
Scott, Lowell D. "Dee"-- ?--3/14/2009. Worked at FSV from 1972-1979 and 1983-1990. He worked for GA as Project Engineer for fuel and material irradiation testing of FSV fuel and material experiments in the GE Test Reactor in Northern California, and Engineering Test Reactor at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory in Idaho and experiments in HIFR @ Oak Ridge, TN. GA Senior Operations Engineer during nuclear construction @ start-up of FSV, GA FSV Construction/Operations Supervisor...left FSV in 1979. In 1983 Dee came back to work for PSCo as QA Engineer, PSCo Fossil QA Supervisor, and QA Services Manager @ FSV until nuclear plant shutdown. at the time of his death he was working for the DOE on Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Dee said that, "The FSV experience was one of the best jobs in my entire career and definitely the best people you could work with!"
Shipman, Donna--a draftperson at the 39th St. office, she helped the engineers by preparing drawings for many of the modifications at the plant. She always wore a smile and wasn't hesitant about coming to the site.
Simon, Walter A. -- Jan. 11, 1937 to August 24, 2004, a nuclear engineer who made notable and innovative contributions to the nuclear power industry, died at the age of 67. Born in Koblenz, Germany, he completed his training in 1961 at the
Technical University in Aachen, Germany, and began his career with General Atomics later that year in Zurich, Switzerland. In 1964, he moved his family to La Jolla after accepting a position in San Diego, where he remained for the next 40 years. He was the recipient of the 2004 American Nuclear Society Sidney Langer Leadership Award, the 2003 Walter H. Zinn Award, and the Pinkerton Prize for 2000, among many others. He finally retired from General Atomics as Senior Vice President, after 43 years of service. Mr. Simon was survived by his wife Hermine; daughter Yvonne; and son Michael of San Diego; and his sister Annelore and brother Joseph in Germany.
Simonson, Kirk E.--4/16/1959 - 5/1986-was PSCo Results engineer from 82-84.
Stewart, Dale L. (5/13/1954 - 1/22/2007) was a contractor (Trycon Services) at FSV from 1986-90 in project management and planning. Dale served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for 30 years, retiring in 2002 as a Chief Warrent Officer (CWO4). Dale was the president of his own consulting firm with as many as forty-two employees working with the nuclear D.O.E. There are many project management professionals (PMPs) who were trained in project management through Dale’s tutelage at Colorado University Denver and Colorado State University Ft. Collins.
Street, Kathy--working for PSCo licensing up to 1990. Was deceased in June 1993.
Swan, Jesse (10/28/1951 - 10/1979) was PSCo storekeeper in early 70's.
Teal, Dick--worked at FSV for General Atomics as the assistant to the project manager.
Tixier, Phil "To-Shay"--worked for PSCo maintenance and QC was deceased in 1991.
Tramp, Paul (11/30/1945 - 5/1983) was PSCo water chemist, maintenance QC and technical services technician.
Tregoning, "Bill" William, Earl (4/10/1950 - 12/25/2010) was a certified nuclear welder at FSV from 1977 to 2006. In 2007 Bill went on LTD due to declined health. Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. As a child, he even thought he could catch fish in mud puddles left after a rain storm.
Trojillo, Jose (Joe)-- passed away in May 2002. Joe worked at FSV during defueling and decommissioning for SEG. He is remembered for his humor and cherry personality.
Tumbleson, Vaughn (11/5/1949 - 8/4/1984) was killed in a traffic accident. He was buried in Holyoke, Colorado. Vaughn worked for PSCo at FSV in instrumentation and controls during the 1970's.
Valdez, Joseph P. "Tuna" (10/3/1940 - 1/22/2004) worked for Ebasco, MKF and others at FSV for maintenance, construction, housekeeping, and decommissioning. Joe, Conce Gonzales and Benji Archibeque were familiar as janitors around the plant for many years. Joe retired in 1994. He was the son of Porfirio Valdez.
Valdez, Porfirio--worked in the original construction of FSV for Ebasco, 1967-1969, he was was killed in an accident at the plant in 1969 during construction near the steam turbine hydralic skid. He remains the only person who has ever lost their life at FSV. He was the father of Joe Valdez who also worked at FSV.
VanDyke, Jerome Gerald * (4/18/1925--2/14/2004) "Van" worked for the company beginning in 1949 and at FSV from 1968 to 1986. He was one of the original GA trained licensed reactor operators at the plant and served as a shift supervisor there. Van also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in both the Pacific and European theater.
Wadas, Ray * (10/2/1934-7/17/2001) While Ray was working at FSV in operations, training and QA, he helped found the Little League in Johnstown and was a coach for 14 years. He served on the town board and was mayor from 1989-93. He helped found St. John the Baptist Church and he owned a restaurant, hardware store and a car wash! Rays career with Public Service Company spanned over 4 decades from 1956-1989. Click here to read about Ray's battle with cancer.
Wetzbarger, Virgil * (2/25/1930 - 2/29/1992) PSC shift supervisor at FSV from 1968 thru 1981.
William, R. O. Jr.--PSC senior vice-president of nuclear operations 86-89.
Wolfe, Rolly--was a contract data entry clerk for the I&C Maintenance department 88-90. Deceased April 30, 1995.
Wyatt, Ronald Wayne--(4/24/1952 - 5/10/2011) Ron worked in Maintenance QA for a few years beginning in 1982. He had a degree from the University of Northern Colorado and was known as an avid outdoorsman.
Yampolsky, Jack--deceased July 3, 2001. Jack was GA's technical director for the development of turbo-machinery during the design and development for the Fort St. Vrain HTGR. He was often cited as the "Father of the FSV Helium Circulators". After he retired from GA, he was a docent at UCSD where he advised researchers, graduate students and others involved in fluid mechanics and heat transfer work. He was a regular at the monthly GA Friendly Old Fellows luncheons and will be sorely missed.
* Denotes one of the original 20 licensed nuclear reactor operators of Fort St. Vrain. See article HERE.
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"As Time Goes By"
is copyright 2003 by Bruce Deboer
and used with permission.
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Friends We Miss
This page was last updated: February 8, 2012
