16 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® In Memoriam John Melvin Larson (1954~2023) The WWDR Team was saddened to hear of the loss of our dear friend John on August 14, 2023. Born October 15, 1954, in Killam, Alberta, Canada, to Melvin and Kathryn Larson, he was the youngest child of six and the only boy in 19 years - with five older sisters. He began his water well drilling career at a young age before starting his own business - Larson’s Waterwell Drilling & Servicing in 1977 - which is still in operation today. He was an Alberta Water Well Drilling Association (AWWDA) member who served a number of years as Director. Later in his career, John shared his love of the trade by becoming the journeyman water well instructor at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP). An assistant dean at RDP said of John: “I enjoyed all the time I spent working with John. His love of the trade and how passionate he was about the importance of protecting groundwater was inspiring for me. I learned a lot from our conversation, and it gave me a better perspective on something I took for granted. His influence made me continue to be invested in the water well drilling trade. John started teaching the Water Well Drilling program at RDP in October 2009, and his last contract ended in February 2019. During those ten years, John taught over 50 apprentices from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia who went on and will continue to be the future of the water well industry.” The program was suspended in 2019 and would not be reinstated until this fall of 2023 where John was to once again return to teaching. John will be deeply missed by his wife of 48 years, Carol; daughters Kristi (Taylor) and Sheena (Kaylan); grandchildren Annika and Barek; his sisters Dolores, Norma, Pat (Bud), Roxy, and Elsie (Jack); many beloved nieces and nephews; and numerous friends. The family has asked for any donations to be made to the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association. To honor John’s legacy, donations will be put into a John Larson Memorial fund for an outstanding student of the Red Deer Polytechnic Journeyman Water Well Drilling program. Lest we forget . . . A Certificate of Appreciation for 16 years of dedicated service to the AWWDA Board of Directors was presented to John during the 2006 Convention & Trade Show. In 2015, John proudly presented the Maurice Lewis Memorial Award to Matt Denboer For Highest Mark 2nd Year Water Well Driller Apprentice. John with Carol and Sheena. Enjoying the company of his students in 2016. John surely made an impact.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=