12 MAY 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource® In Memoriam Thomas Michel “Bud” DeGrio (1945~2024) A long-time Director of the Underground Gold Miners Museum in Alleghany, California, Thomas Michel “Bud” DeGrio passed away unexpectedly surrounded by family on December 21, 2024. He was born in 1945, in San Rafael; in 1948, his family moved to Alleghany, the small gold mining town where his father was a mine owner/operator. Bud spent much of his childhood with the men and worked alongside them starting at age 11. He attended Sierra College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1967-71, in the Vietnam War. Afterward, he attended the University of San Francisco, then spent the next 50 years participating in mining and heavy civil projects around the world. His local mining experience included Gardner's Point open pit placer gold mine (1980s), San Juan Ridge underground placer mine (1990s); design/construction/management of the Bear River hard rock quarry with Hansen Bros.; and several other small underground mines. His last civil project was the San Vicente Dam Raise before retiring from Parsons Corp. in 2012. After 2012, he continued providing engineering and consulting services and construction management services through his company DECONCO. From 2016 until his death, he was providing construction management services to Hetch Hetchy Power. Bud is survived by his wife Becky Higgs; daughters Melissa DeGrio, Melissa Santos (Syth), Sarah Gordon (DeGrio); son Thomas Maritz-DeGrio; sisters Patricia Russell and Kathleen McGuire; as well as eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Anthony Lee “Tony” Sievers (1957~2025) Anthony Lee “Tony” Sievers passed away March 5, 2025, from injuries sustained from an accident at work. Tony and his family owned and operated Calhoun Quarry, this being his 50th year. Born in 1957, he played baseball, softball, basketball, and ran track during his youth and continued playing softball for years after. Once he stopped playing, he umped and refereed. In 1977, he married Janice and welcomed three children from that union - Brian (Meghan) Sievers, Jason (Shelly) Sievers, and Pamela (Jarett) Blackwell. In 2000, Tony married his best friend and love of his life, Jana, who brought three girls to their marriage - Jennifer Suhling, Erica (WD) Hayman, and Jessica Suhling. During Tony and Jana’s 25 years together, they cherished grandchildren Jace (Sammie) Blackwell, Kenzie and Kaden Sievers, Haley (Emmanuel) Welch, Carlie Suhling, Stephanie Recklein, and June Hayman; and great-grandchildren Katie and JoAnna, Taylor James Jr., Maricela, Tae, and Kei’Maya. He was an original member of the Calhoun Entertainment Company Community Theater, also serving the community as a volunteer fireman and trustee. Tony never saw a stranger. He always had a smile on his face. His favorite thing in the world was spending time with his family and the sounds of kids enjoying Christmas lights displays. He had a deep and personal relationship with each and every one in his family. Raising Mari and Tae was his ultimate pride and joy. A unique and wonderful gentleman, Tony valued his community, country, and especially his family. He always went above and beyond the normal. Alan Mark Dretel (1956~2025) Alan Mark Dretel of Sherman, Connecticut, and Southern Pines, North Carolina, passed peacefully at home on March 9, 2025, with his wife Rhonda at his side. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1956, he grew up in Danbury, Connecticut, and worked in his father’s business, D & S Pump and Supply, as a young man. After high school graduation, he took on a more permanent role, then taking over the company in the early 1980s. As the business grew, it expanded to have locations ranging from Maine to eastern Tennessee. He earned a pilot’s license with a commercial rating, which allowed him to visit the multiple locations of the company and customers more easily. Alan was a hardworking and dedicated man standing up for his beliefs, but family and those who knew him saw his caring and soft side. He and Rhonda enjoyed riding their horses. It was this love that took them from Connecticut to North Carolina, where they quickly became active in the equestrian community with Alan serving on the board of the Walthour Moss Foundation for many years. Alan is survived by Rhonda; sons David and Aaron (Carrie); grandchildren Hunter, Jake, Luke, Emmitt, Shilo, Gideon, Felicity, and Cilas; along with his sister Donna. Lest we forget . . .
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=