Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 1

TULSA

DISTRICT RECORD

May/June 2001

Vol. 24, No. 3

Altus Gets New

Control Tower

See page 3
Tulsa District Record

Page 2 May/June 2001

Col. Leonardo Flor

District Engineer

Tulsa District Record

District Engineer

Col. Leonardo Flor

Public Affairs Officer

W. Ross Adkins

Editor, Public Affairs Office

1645 S 101st East Ave

Tulsa, OK 74128-4609

Editor

Mary Beth Hudson

Commander's

Column

Technical Assistance

Susan Satterfield

See Spotlight, page 10

The Tulsa District Record is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. Contents are not

necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense,

Department of the Army, or Tulsa District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is published monthly

using offset lithography. Contributions of articles, graphics and photographs are encouraged. All

manuscripts are subject to editing. Printed circulation: 1,700.

918-669-7366 - Phone

918-669-7368 - Fax

http://www.swt.usace.army.mil

A

s has been my practice over the past few TDRs, I’ll

share with you examples of the excellent commitment

and dedication you display in serving our customers.

I recently received a letter from G. William Foster, Jr., director of the Tulsa Audubon Society, thanking Michael

Schrick and his staff of rangers for their help and assistance

to the society during the time the public views the eagles below

Keystone Dam. “It also has been excellent public relations for

the Corps and their mission,” Mr. Foster wrote.

I also received a letter from Ms. Patricia Dunmire

Bragg, chair of the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority,

complimenting the Corps for its very fine Phase I study

of Lake Oologah. “The presentation by your staff to

the TMUA was excellent. The Corps personnel evidenced superior knowledge and understanding of

the issues and data. . . Therefore, we want to continue to work with the Corps Water Quality

Program, our congressional delegation, and the

affected communities to continue water quality work in Lake Oologah and its tributaries.”

In the absence of the division counsel,

John Roselle served as acting division counsel. Brig. Gen.

David Melcher recently sent a letter thanking John for his assistance. He wrote, “Your service to the division is an excellent

example of how the Southwestern Division Regional Team

works to the benefit of the entire division.”

Many thanks to Dawn Knight, Glenna Wheatley, Mary

Meeker, Michelle Wilson, Kelly Longfellow, and Rita

Anderson for judging the 2001 Tulsa Regional Science Fair.

The judging was based upon students’ overall creative ability,

thoroughness, scientific thought or engineering goals, demonstrated skills, and information clarity.

On March 7, we held our quarterly Town Hall Meeting. The

following individuals were recognized for their accomplishments/contributions: Rowe Wynn, Richard Freeman, Tim

Hunt, Sue Morris, Kerri Stark, Gina Arteche, Albert

Candelaria, Nikki Carr, Hazel Davis, Max Hagan, Redia

Hill, Tom Logsdon, Jane Noble, Tammy Moreno, Shirley

Rolison, Melonie Stahlman, J. D. Stigall, Robert Stubbs,

Karen White, Craig Wright, Russell Holeman, Tom

Heathcock, John Roselle, Beth Sauls, John Sturges, Jim

McDonald, Richard West, Dave Harder, Ahmed Majali,

John Weatherly, Roger Eakle, Paul Bisdorf, Brenda

Snyder, Ivy Canole, Diane Cianci, Patricia Livesay, and

Jimmy Pryor.

We also did our New Employee Orientation Briefing on that

date, and we welcomed Ken Shingleton, Felicia Cummings,

Capt. (now promoted to Maj.) Dan Snead, Jeff Brewer,

Adam Crisp, Karen Lichtenberg, Kelly Longfellow, Rita

Anderson, Dallas Tomlinson, and Susan Satterfield to the

district.

The Women’s History Program was held on

March 14. Sandra Stiles and Christy

Ostrander were selected as co-winners of the

Federal Woman of the Year Award. Sue

Crane was selected as the Administrative/

Clerical Support Employee of the Year. Congratulations to all!

We had a very good visit April 9-10 with Col.

Mike Schultz, deputy commander of SWD. He

toured the auxiliary spillway construction site at

Lake Tenkiller, the future Skiatook Lake Spillway

Chute construction site, Webbers Falls Powerhouse, and the Fort Gibson Bridge Reconstruction. He had

lunch with employees from Tenkiller and Fort Gibson Lake and

presented awards. He was presented an overview of the water

control operations and the Hazardous, Toxic, and Radiologic

Waste activities in the district. Thanks to all for making this a

success!
Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 3

A

 new air traffic control tower is almost complete at Altus Air Force Base. The

tower is part of the New Control Tower and Ramp/Airfield Lighting Project

being constructed by the Tulsa District.

The new tower will allow air traffic controllers to see the entire airfield

flightline. This is not possible with the current tower, especially with the mid 1990s

addition of an outside runway and new assault strip.

An added benefit to the new tower will be training for air traffic controllers. The

new 11-story, 7,642-square-foot tower will house training rooms where air traffic

controllers will be able to train in a virtual reality simulator.

Construction began in late 1999. McMaster Construction Company is constructing the tower for $3,987,341. The architect-engineer firm of Cromwell and

Associates, under contract to Little Rock District, designed the tower. The Little

Rock District is the design agent for all air traffic control towers being built within

the Air Force Air Education and Training Command.

The Altus Resident Office staff and resident engineer manage the construction

for the Corps and work with the Air Force to coordinate turning over the facility to the

base. An incredible amount of coordination has been required to have the tower ready

for the Air Force to install new communications equipment and to switch their control

operations from the old tower to the new without impacting flight operations. There

have been tremendous efforts by the resident engineer, Gary Mezger, and staff to successfully bring everything together while not interrupting the base’s flying mission.

To complicate the issue, new ramp and airfield lights, new lighted taxiway and

runway signs, and a new precision approach path indicator system are being added to

the airfield and hooked up to the new tower at the same time. These efforts are included in three separate projects underway simultaneously on the airfield under the

management of the Altus Resident Office. Mezger routinely holds coordination

meetings with the contractor, base civil engineer, airfield operations flight, communications squadron, and others to bring all the pieces together.

The new tower was given to the Air Force for beneficial occupancy on April 24.

However, the Corps is not done yet. Once the Air Force makes the switchover of

equipment and people and begins operating out of the new tower, the same Corps contractor that built the new tower will demolish the old one. The completion of the

switchover and demolition is estimated to be in late summer.

Clif Warren

Programs and Project Management Division

Several Projects Underway

at Altus Air Force Base

T

he 2000-2001 Self-Assessment

Team presented its findings on

April 20 at the Senior Leaders’

Conference. The team identified areas of

improvement, or gaps, around the seven

Army Performance Improvement Criteria

of leadership, strategic planning, customer focus, information and analysis,

human resources, process management,

and business results.

The team also presented highlights

related to the seven criteria that describe

some of the many district strengths. (The

briefing slides are on the team’s home

page.)

In preparation for the briefing, the

team also identified seven gaps that from

their perspective were high priority for

the leadership’s focus. These were related to workload, strategic planning,

communication, the CEFMS reporting

process, customer relations, and nationwide contracts to support the “one door

to the Corps” philosophy.

The Self-Assessment Team Committee is one of 33 committees in the

district. It is composed of 16 volunteer

members representing the district’s divisions and offices.

New volunteer members will be

needed for the committee by June.

The committee’s purpose is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the

district and present the findings to senior

leaders. They in turn use the information

as part of the data they analyze in preparing annual revisions to the district’s

strategic plan. With the Senior Leaders’

Conference of April 20, strategic planning is underway to prepare new goals

and objectives for the district’s Implementation Plan 01-05. The goals and

objectives are aligned with the Headquarters’ USACE Vision and Campaign Plan

and the Southwestern Division Campaign

Plan. (These documents are available on

the district’s team page.)

In May, the team prepared a written

report in the format of a preliminary application for a quality award. Next year’s

team will emphasize preparing a

President’s Quality Award submittal.

Team Wraps Up

Service

Butterfly Bench

Takes Wing

Bonnie Moore, Resource Management Office, reports

that the Butterfly Bench campaign was successful. A $750

donation was made to Tulsa Zoo Friends, and the Corps memorial bench is now located in the recently opened

“Butterflies . . . Wings of Wonder” exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo.

The memorial bench was purchased by employees who

made contributions in memory of deceased co-workers,

family members, and friends.
Tulsa District Record

Page 4 May/June 2001

Linda Young

Army Chief of Staff Personally Honors

Canton Worker at Fort Sill Gathering

Gen. Shinseki Remembers His Noncom

Beginning Note: On April 26 at Fort Sill, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki

personally presented the prestigious Honorable Order of Saint Barbara to Ernie

Kingcade, maintenance inspector at Canton Lake. Kingcade was Shinseki’s noncommissioned officer when the general was a young lieutenant, first in Hawaii and

then in Vietnam.

At the presentation ceremony, Shinseki explained that in 1964 and 1965, slots in

the basic Army courses were at a premium and were saved for those officers

ordered to combat. His orders were for Hawaii, so he did not get to take the basic

artillery course. He reported to Hawaii and discovered that their unit had been

alerted and was to head to Vietnam in 10 days. Shinseki had tremendous

responsibility and credits Kingcade for teaching him, in those 10 days and while on

the boat to Vietnam, everything that he would have learned in the basic course.

At the Fort Sill ceremony, Gen. Shinseki repeated what he has said many times

throughout his career, “I didn’t have the basic course, but I had Ernie Kingcade.”

The following is excerpted from the front-page Fort Sill Cannoneer article of

April 26, “Vet remembers Shinseki,” by Tonya Riley. It is printed with permission of

the Fort Sill Public Affairs Office.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki

presents Ernie Kingcade a framed photo

in rememberance of the pair’s time in

Vietnam. Kingcade is wearing the

Honorable Order of Saint Barbara medal

around his neck.

M

ost Army officers, especially

those who were once young

lieutenants headed for battle,

can recall an NCO or two showing them

the ropes.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K.

Shinseki is no exception.

In speeches, he has often mentioned

a sergeant who guided a certain 2nd Lt.

Shinseki many years ago.

Shinseki said during his installation

as the Army chief of staff, “You see, he

had done everything that I would ever do

as an artillery forward observer several

times over. He trained this soldier, and

as much as any officer has in the 35 years

since, (he) grew me into a leader.”

. . . When, during his first remarks as

Chief of Staff of the Army in mid-1999,

Shinseki mentioned young Sgt. Ernie

Kingcade, Kingcade couldn’t have been

more surprised. The now-general and

former staff sergeant got reacquainted at

the ceremony when Shinseki was installed as Army chief of staff, but haven’t

since had an opportunity to talk much,

said Kingcade.

Kingcade is today a civilian employee with the Army Corps of

Engineers, Tulsa District. He said, during

a telephone interview with the Cannoneer, that he is very excited to see

Shinseki again. Kingcade remains surprised that he made such an impact on the

general.

First meeting

The first time the two met was in Hawaii – just before Christmas in 1965 –

and both were headed for war, Kingcade

said.

“He was new, out of West Point. I

don’t think he had the artillery Officer

Basic Course. First time I met him was

right there at Schofield when we were

fixing to deploy to Vietnam,” said

Kingcade. . .

Kingcade said he didn’t think he did

anything out of the ordinary. He simply

had a young second lieutenant who was

without the benefit of artillery training.

“He was going to need to know everything we knew, especially being artillery

and being attached to infantry. . .

Kingcade met Shinseki again a war or

two, and seemingly, a lifetime later.

“They got ahold of me for his arrival ceremony when he was installed as the chief

of staff,” said Kingcade. “We were in the

receiving line, and we were supposed to

give our names ahead of time. Instead, I

just told that colonel to tell him it is a

heck of a long ways from Oklahoma to

here. Gen. Shinseki stepped right in

front of me and said, ‘Ernie Kingcade!’

He hugged me. I don’t know how he recognized me, but he did.”

Back in 1965, Kingcade had no idea

he had made such an impact on the young

lieutenant.

“I just happened to be there. I hoped

I helped at that point in his life,” Kingcade said. “Only thing I knew was that we

were going into a combat area, and it was

best that we both knew as much as we
Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 5

Staff Sgt.

Ernie

Kingcade in

a tent in

Vietnam in a

1966 photo.

Courtesy of LaWanna Kingcade

Ending Note: A couple of weeks after the visit to Fort Sill, Kingcade talked about

the honor he had received and that time so many years ago preparing for and

serving in combat, “At the time I didn’t think I was that good. I was a normal noncom

doing my job, and that’s all it was. It made an impression on someone. It just so

happened he turned out to be the chief of staff of the army thirty years later.”

He explains the impact of their relationship with, “We were together five

months, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We did everything together. We

walked together, stayed in the same foxhole, took a bath in the same river. You

learn to know what one another’s doing and just about what they’re thinking in a

very short time.”

Kingcade was the personal guest of the general while at the base. He was

treated to a tour of the base, got a look at the new weapons systems for artillery,

and was the general’s guest at a leisurely dinner.

could to help one another out. It takes a

team. Don’t get me wrong, I was scared.

But I was two years older than he was. I’d

already had six years in. We had training

and experience. We had some guys in our

firing batteries that were in the Korean

War.”

Kingcade remembers Shinseki’s demeanor as they prepared to deploy.

“He listened. Maybe I shouldn’t say it,

but this is what surprised me about him.

He was West Point, you know. You’ll

find a lot of West Pointers – well, they

had already selected their branches and

thought I couldn’t teach them anything.

But he listened, and he was very easy to

get along with. I think what we had to say

made a difference with 2nd Lt. Shinseki.

I’m not saying this now because of what

he turned out to be – but you don’t get

where he is today by not listening to

other people. . .

. . . Kingcade said he was surprised

to hear Shinseki tell the crowd at the CSA

arrival ceremony, “ . . . two NCOs to

whom I owe my early growth as an officer (are) Sgt. Ernie Kingcade, my very

first trainer who taught me how to shoot

artillery while underway on board a ship

headed to Vietnam 33 years ago; and sergeant – now sheriff – Les Cotton of

Navarro County, Texas. . . They will

probably tell you that I was the greenest

of the green, but I am here today because

they were the very best of the best – professional noncommissioned officers who

knew their jobs, cared for their soldiers,

and took the time to develop their officers. . . ”

Both former NCOs were at the ceremony.

Kingcade said, “It was shocking to

me and Leslie Cotton. . . We both kind

of had tears in our eyes because he went

to so much trouble to mention our names

when there were so many people who had

meant so much in his life.”

. . . Shinseki never forgot the NCOs

who were with him in those early years.

In another speech, Shinseki told a story

of Kingcade readying the section for inspection.

According to Shinseki’s talk,

Kingcade had asked the young lieutenant

to meet him before he looked at the

troops.

“He said, ‘Okay, sir, there are three

folks I want you to look hard at – Smith,

Jones and Brown. They have some discrepancies I want you to point out.’ And

then he explained what those were,”

Shinseki said. “I went through and picked

out Jones, Smith and Brown. I turned the

unit back over to him. As I moved out of

the area, I could hear Ernie Kingcade, in

an elevated voice so I could hear, saying,

‘I told you that lieutenant has got the eyes

of an eagle, Now the next time he comes

down here, we are going to be straight!’

“He established a standard. He established his standard. He identified

those who hadn’t met it. He also educated me in what the expectations were

so that I could reinforce the standard.

That was a great partnership, NCO and officer, a great partnership that we shared

together there, living side by side in the

jungles of Vietnam,” Shinseki said.

Learning to forget

Kingcade said the war was, well, war. He

said sometimes he wanted to find out

what happened to people he knew, but

sometimes he just didn’t want to think

about it. Shinseki was injured in battle,

but by then, Kingcade was no longer beside him, he said.

“He went down after I left him. It was

bad, I heard. I didn’t know when I got the

reports if he was gonna live or not. I

didn’t get to see him when he got hurt,”

Kingcade said.

“I looked at the records for a while,

and I didn’t see in the records that he had

died. Years later, I didn’t see his name

on the memorial. He wasn’t on the wall.

I thought he was alive somewhere, but I

didn’t know what kind of shape he was in.

Matter of fact, I thought about dropping

through Hawaii and seeing him on my

way back home once,” Kingcade said. “I

didn’t know if he had recovered, if he had

continued his Army career.”

Familiar face

Kingcade was surprised one day

while relaxing at home, far away from

Vietnam and long out of uniform.

“One day I was watching CNN and Bosnia

had started up,” Kingcade said. “I saw

they were interviewing a Gen. Shinseki,

and I thought, ‘It couldn’t be!’ His face

popped up right then on the newsreel.”

Kingcade said he rushed through his

house to find a box he didn’t open much.

“I dug out some pictures. Right then I

knew. It was my 2nd Lt. Shinseki on TV,

but he was a general!”

When they finally met again, he said

Shinseki told him he would visit Oklahoma someday, and they would talk more.

“He said he’d let me know when he got

here. That was two years ago, and he

didn’t forget,” Kingcade said. . .
Tulsa District Record

Page 6 May/June 2001

A

s contaminant lists are revised

and technology and techniques

advance, the environmental cleanup arena constantly changes. Tulsa

District and the Army Operations Support

Command are leading the Department of

Defense in one new clean-up category.

The regulatory community’s most recently identified contaminant of concern,

perchlorate, is being successfully tackled

at Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant in

Texas. The plant is the first DoD facility

to install perchlorate removal treatment.

“The Army has aggressively addressed the perchlorate issue at

Longhorn,” said David Tolbert,

commander’s representative for Louisiana and Longhorn ammunition plants.

A BIT OF HISTORY

The Longhorn plant was listed on the

Environmental Protection Agency’s National Priorities List in 1990, and has

been inactive since 1997. Last fall, the

Army signed a Memorandum of Agreement with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

to transfer the majority of the plant’s

8,493 acres to establish a wildlife refuge.

Ammonium perchlorate was used at

the plant as the primary ingredient in

solid propellant for rockets and missiles.

The area surrounding the Perchlorate

Grinding Building in the production area

of the plant was originally investigated.

The presence of perchlorate there led to

concerns that groundwater being extracted from another site, the Burning

Ground, might also contain perchlorate,

since wastes from the production area

were historically disposed at the Burning

Ground.

Shallow groundwater extracted from

the Burning Ground and treated at the

groundwater treatment plant is discharged

into surface water approximately one

mile upstream of the plant boundary at

the edge of Caddo Lake. The lake is a

source for drinking water for several

communities in Texas and Louisiana.

This shot shows the Fluidized Bed

Reactor being lifted into place. It is five

feet in diameter and 21 feet tall. All

chemical feed rates, influent and

effluent rates, pH, and control valves

are viewable and adjustable from the

computer in the groundwater plant

office. It is designed to run 24-hours a

day, seven days a week.

District Leads in Treating Perchlorate

Jonna Polk

Programs and Project Management

Division

The groundwater treatment plant,

which began treating water in 1997, was

not designed to treat perchlorate. The

contaminant is of concern because of potential health effects at low concentrations and the effects it may have on

ecosystems. It was identified as a contaminant at Longhorn in 1998 when tests

confirmed that the groundwater being extracted and treated for removal of metals

and volatile organics contained perchlorate at an average concentration of

approximately 14,000 parts per billion.

Surface water samples collected at the

plant boundary have contained detectable

quantities of perchlorate.

In December 1999, the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission

invoked Dispute Resolution under the

Federal Facilities Agreement to require

the Army to address the perchlorate discharge from the treatment plant. A

three-year schedule was developed for

the Army to identify and implement a

technology to treat perchlorate.

THE SOLUTION

Operations Support Command and

Tulsa District identified a technology for

bioremediation of perchlorate, and were

able to execute nearly two years ahead of

the regulatory schedule.

“The construction portion of the

project has gone from civil design and

civil engineering to finished construction

in five months,” said Bill Corrigan,

groundwater treatment plant manager.

This February, a biological fluidized

bed reactor, designed by Envirogen, Inc.,

was installed at LHAAP. At a cost of

about $650,000, the reactor was much

less expensive than alternative treatment

technologies considered. It contains microbes which convert the perchlorate ion

(ClO4) to oxygen and chloride. Acetic

acid is added as a nutrient for the microbes. The result is added to the

treatment train following metals precipitation and air stripping.

The technology is already removing

perchlorate from extracted groundwater.

“It’s definitely working,” said Corrigan.

“When we began treating water, it had an

average concentration of 14,000 parts

per billion. In less than a month, the concentration was below the detection limit

of 4 ppb. The TNRCC requires that the

effluent discharge not exceed a daily average concentration of 375 ppb.

The communities near the ammunition plant, EPA, and TNRCC are all

pleased with the proactive approach the

Army has taken to address the perchlorate discharge from LHAAP. “We have

appreciated the efforts of the Tulsa District to be responsive to the regulatory

community and the public’s concerns,”

said Tolbert. Perchlorate concentrations

are being reduced significantly below required levels; the project was completed

ahead of schedule at a reasonable cost;

and it will have low annual operation and

maintenance costs.

The project’s success has already

been noted. The State of Texas invited

the Army to present percholorate investigation and treatment information to their

technical staff in April.
Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 7

Congressman Carson Visits District – From left,

Rex Ostrander, Engineering and Construction Division;

Oklahoma Second-District Congressman Brad Carson (D); and

congressional staffers, Jeff Jaynes (hidden) and Don Eckhoff;

look over construction activities at the Tenkiller Spillway

construction site. The April 23 visit also included a tour of the

the Tenkiller Powerhouse, down-stream fisheries, and the

Tulsa headquarters building where they received briefings on

water control procedures, forecasting, and the Grand Lake

Feasibility Study.

Christine Altendorf

Editor’s Note: For years, the Tulsa

District Record has included personnel

information – who came on board, who

left, and who got promoted. When

Personnel Office left Tulsa, CPAC

provided the information for a time.

When they no longer could, EEO Office

stepped in. Now, thanks to changes in

the personnel tracking system, the

information is not currently available.

Nancy Crenshaw of Engineering and

Construction Division is working with

CPOC in hopes of devising a report

which will provide the information.

When one is created, the column will be

reinstated.

Personnel Notes

Federal Board Recognizes District Employees

F

our Tulsa District employees were

recently honored by the Federal

Executive Board at the 2001 Public

Service Recognition Banquet. This

year’s banquet was held at the Officers’

Club at Tinker Air Force Base on May 7.

Joyice Yarbrough, Programs and

Project Management Division, was

recognized for

“Outstanding Community Service.”

She serves on the

Black Employment

Program Committee, Wellness

Committee, and

served three years

as treasurer for the

Civilian Recreation Advisory Committee.

She is also very active in her church and

Joyice Yarbrough

devotes numerous hours to elementary

and middle school children to train and

teach basketball.

In the “Outstanding Customer Service” division, Burl

Ragland, also of

PPMD, was recognized. According

to his nomination,

Ragland “has been

an integral part of

the engineer community at Fort Sill.

. . He has truly excelled in providing

quality support and

service to our customers.”

Larry Dearing of Engineering and

Construction Division was honored in the

“Supervisory – Department of Defense”

Burl Ragland

category. His nomination stated, in part,

“The level of trust

Larry inspires in

employees and

customers is exceptional. . .

Recognizing that

people are our

most precious resource, he treats

all employees

fairly and with respect.”

Gregory Williams, also of E&C, was

recognized in the

“Technical, Professional and

Administrative,

GS-9 and Above –

DoD” area. He

was the author of

the Corps Quality

Management Plan,

submitted to the

Environmental

Protection Agency.

This task was accomplished in addition to performing his

normal chemist duties.

Larry Dearing

Greg Williams
Tulsa District Record

Page 8 May/June 2001

Challenges Face Environmental Crews

Chris Kennedy

HTRW Design Center

D

id you know that the Corps maintains a relatively small

and select group of individuals dedicated to supporting

various federal environmental programs requiring sampling and analysis activities? These duties are conducted daily

throughout the year during all seasons and occasionally under

difficult weather and site conditions.

Tulsa District is one such district that provides environmental support to dozens of Department of Defense installations, facilities, and other federal agencies.

HTRW Design Center

For more than a decade, environmental samplers employed

by the Tulsa District’s Hazardous Toxic and Radiological Waste

Design Center have provided dependable sampling and analysis

services to numerous air force and army installations throughout Southwestern Division. In addition to these active

installations, design center personnel are routinely called upon

to support site investigations and long-term monitoring events

at a number of Formerly Used Defense sites and superfund sites

scattered throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas,

New Mexico, Kansas, and Missouri.

Environmental field services include groundwater monitoring, well rehabilitation, dedication and pump retrofits, guard

post/pad maintenance, sediment/soil characterization, waste

characterization, and on-site analysis.

Wicked Weather

One of the strengths of the center’s service lies in the fact

that the staff has learned to readily adapt to rapidly changing

weather conditions. Sample crews pack an assortment of gear

and protective equipment. One week, crews may be trying to

stay dry in a “toad strangler” of a rain out on the high plains of

Texas while another crew navigates the icy road conditions and

falling tree limbs in the rolling hills of the Arkansas Ozarks.

Site Situations

Site conditions can also present the environmental sampler

with challenges. Crews maintain site awareness regarding possible difficulties and dangers. These may be due to former

operations or environmental hazards such as humidity and poisonous plants and reptiles.

Participation in environmental sampling operations can

provide invaluable field experience and a sincere appreciation

for the efforts required to complete field assignments in the

midst of challenging weather and site conditions.

At Little

Rock Air

Force Base,

David Jones

stands in the

path to the

sampling

location

blocked by

ice-covered

trees.

Doing

sediment

sampling in

east Texas’

Caddo Lake.

Taking all necessary precautions, sampling continues after a

storm.
Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 9

M

ost employees are interested in advancement at some point during their career; however, they often don’t know how to achieve career goals. The promotion process has changed over the last few years and has become unknown territory which employees need to navigate. Operations Division’s Career

Development Course helps them do just that. It provides employees with a map and

the proper tools to better package themselves for selection.

Although an employee may have started working for an organization almost by

chance, from that point on, career development should be a matter of choice. The

course gives this message to participants:

“Let go of the old Cinderella Complex. There is no Fairy Godmother or Prince Charming in the work place who will develop

your careers for you. The burden of career development rests

with you, and it could not be in more capable hands. No one

knows better when or where you want to go.”

The value and limitations of various types of are discussed in the course. Essential Individual Training makes employees more proficient in their current jobs;

however, in most cases, it does not enhance chances for promotion. That’s where Individual Development Plans come in. Employees need to discuss their training

desires with supervisors and request that their IDPs accurately reflect their career

goals. The course also includes information on the Leadership Development Program

and development assignments – many of which require employees to be mobile.

Some “at home” employees don’t see the need to consider career development.

Their family and community ties keep them comfortable where they are, and they are

relatively satisfied with their surroundings, job, and position in the organization. The

course points out that change visits everyone at some point. One day, when their children are all grown, those “at home” employees might decide to pursue the next level

along their career ladder. They are encouraged to participate in developmental assignments and training today to be better prepared for tomorrow’s changes.

Throughout the short course, facilitators share portions of the book, “Who Moved

My Cheese?” by Dr. Spencer Johnson, a story about change and how it impacts our human condition.

Resumix and the Army’s Resume Builder are discussed. Participants are given

tips on how to write a powerful resume using action verbs, how to submit the resume,

and how to apply for jobs using

Resumix. They are taken through the

job interview process, and each step of

the panel interview process is discussed. Sample questions and best

answers are shared. Employees see

how uncomfortable and intimidating such an interview can be; they

also see the importance of this

step in the selection process.

More than 270 Operations

Division employees have taken

the Career Development Course.

Using it as a model, both Engineering and Construction

Division and Little Rock District are developing versions.

Let’s Look at Career Development

Editor’s Note: An Operations Division task force was formed to develop a short

course on career development. Members were Brande Serner, Janet Patterson,

Vicki Yoder, Cheri Fowler, Patricia Smith, Joan Winters, Jeff Hair, David Stewart,

Kenny Whitehead, Wayne Peck, and Earl Groves. Dan Bentley, chairperson of the

task force, wrote this article.

Women

Honored

With Annual

Awards

T

he Federal Women’s Program was

held March 14, with the theme,

“Celebrating Women of Courage,

Vision and Determination.” It was a joint

program with the Internal Revenue Service.

Nominees for Woman of the Year

were Christina Ostrander, Engineering

and Construction Division, and Sandra

Stiles, Fort Gibson Area Office.

Administrative/Clerical Support Employee of the Year nominees were Mary

Samuel, Robert S. Kerr Area Office;

Gloria Lowe, Resource Management Office: Joan Winters, Marion Lake Project

Office; and Sue Crane, Pine Creek

Project Office.

Sue Crane was named Administrative/Clerical Employee of the Year.

Ostrander and Stiles shared Woman of

the Year honors.

The program featured women of the

Corps and the IRS who shared their stories of courage and determination. Corps

speakers were Yolane Hartsfield, Charlotte Stockwell, and Janet Holsomback.

Kathy Beckner spoke from the IRS. The

speakers did and outstanding job, and

each one was very well received by the

audience.

Shirley Rolison

Federal Womens Committee
Tulsa District Record

Page 10 May/June 2001

. . . Spotlight

from page 2

The SWD Command Inspection of

the district was April 16-18. The district

met or exceeded standards in 128 of 132

areas inspected. This 97 percent success

rate is a significant improvement over the

outstanding 92 percent rate we achieved

in the 1999 CI. Needless to say, our success comes from a joint effort by everyone in the district. Well done!

The Quarterly Total Quality Briefing

and Senior Leaders’ Conference was held

April 19-20. The members of the Board

of Directors gave their quarterly updates,

the Self-Assessment Team presented a

report on their findings, and preparation

began for the annual revision of the

Implementation Plan. I encourage all of

you to view the materials presented; they

are available on the intranet.

Our Annual Take Your Daughters/

Sons to Work Day held on April 26 was a

success because of the participation of

W

ith the weather warming up and

children thinking about going

to the lake, rangers are thinking

about water safety. At Lake Texoma, the

Hal D. Malone Water Safety Complex is

once again in full swing.

Since 1993, the complex has been

used to educate area fourth graders and

save lives. Each year, 32 area schools

participate; about 14,000 students have

attended since it began.

“I enjoy it immensely and look forward to this time of year. I know it has

saved lives,”said Phil Newton, ranger.

Although the scripts for the courses

have not changed since the program first

began, each individual instructor adds his

or her own personality. The children are

entertained and educated.

Malone Memorial Complex

Continues Its Mission

Foreign Visitors

From the Security

Office

?Visitor goes through their

embassy to get clearance to

Corps facility;

?Visitor submits a visit

request through the military

attache at his/her country’s

embassy in Washington,

D.C.

?Tulsa Security Office

receives notification of the

visit, and the foreign

national is informed of the

status of the request.

All visits of foreign nationals

to Corps facilities must be approved. The procedure normally

takes about 30 days. Steps are:

Chris Lynch, Lead Ranger

Texoma Project Office

Dwaine McBee, Texoma ranger, shows

a fourth grade girl the different types

of personal floatation devices.

Texoma’s summer program has helped

educate more than 14,000 students

since it began in 1993.

“It gives us an opportunity to mold

young minds,” said Ron Crank, ranger.

To keep the children interested, the

course is broken into four outdoor classrooms, and the students move quickly

from one to the next. They spend their

day learning buoy identification, hypothermia prevention, johnboat operation,

water rescue, and the dangers of alcohol.

For the children, the highlight of the

day is the hands-on operation of small

boats through a watercourse.

Each child leaves smiling and knowing the importance of being safe. We at

Texoma are convinced the program has

saved lives.

you and your family and the efforts of the

following individuals: Russell

Holeman, Don Dixon, Rex Ostrander,

James Patterson, Lucy Spaulding,

Cathey Williams, Jean Wilkins, Kathy

Riggle, Dan Bentley, Mary Dukes,

William Mobly, Mary Beth Hudson,

Connie White, Sally Van Winkle,

Terry Hickerson, Steve Mills, and

France Reitz.

The first week in June, the chief of

engineers will visit with us. Lt. Gen.

Flowers sees his most important purpose

during his visits to districts to be twoway communication with employees. We

will have a town hall with him, and this is

your chance to ask him questions. Of

course, it is also his chance to ask you

questions. Come prepared. Review your

“30-second infomercial.” Know his philosophy and what the “Do-It Card” says.

Study the recently published USACE

Strategic Vision. Let us show him why

the people of this district make it the

best in the Corps.

ESSAYONS!
Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 11

I

t’s springtime again and the first thought that comes to mind

is . . . FISHING! I can remember the days of junior high,

sitting in the back of the class, and staring out the window at

the beautiful spring weather and anticipating going home to have

dad take me fishing.

Some kids aren’t lucky enough to have someone take them

fishing all the time, and others have never had a fishing pole in

their hands. So the McClellan-Kerr Lake Office, the Oklahoma

Department of Wildlife Conservation, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife

Service teamed up to sponsor the 2001 Brushy Lake Fishing

Clinic. This event played host to 156 fifth graders from Gore,

Vian, Gans, and Brushy Public Schools, and gave them a chance

to learn interesting facts about fishing and the outdoors.

The day started with students rotating through a series of

seven stations, all with different themes. The ODWC conducted three stations. One was how to cast, the second was on

fish identification, and the third taught the students ethics and

how to stay out of trouble.

Knot tying was taught by the USFWS. McClellan-Kerr

Lake rangers helped with two other stations. Larry Fears

brought his boat and demonstrated his superior casting skills;

Terrie Broomhall asked water safety questions, gave prizes for

Fishing Clinic Nets

Good Times

Chad Ford, Park Ranger

McClellan Kerr Lake Office

Above – Children listen intently at one

of the stations.

Right – After the lessons and the

lunch, the real fun begins!

the correct answers, and took pictures of the students.

Snake identification appeared to be one of the students’ favorites. It was taught by Debbie Christie’s son, Nathan. Debbie

works at the Tenkiller Lake Office.

A lunch break was taken after all stations were complete.

Todd Carr, chef for the day, grilled burgers and hot dogs to perfection. They were enjoyed by all the workers. After squeezing

down one too many desserts, it was time for the fishing to begin. Poles and worms, donated by Jack McMurtery, were given

to each student, and the afternoon was spent fishing. With minor help from all the workers, the students enjoyed a safe and

successful day of fishing.

When the students were gone, fishing poles put away, and

all stations taken down, all of us who helped put on the clinic

enjoyed feelings of satisfaction and inspiration. These feelings

already have me anticipating the next Brushy Lake Fishing

Clinic.

So the next time a child looks at you and says, “Let’s go

fishing,” take them, and pass on all the knowledge you can. The

feeling you will get at the end of the day will put a childlike

spark in your heart and have you suggesting, “Let’s go fishing!” Photos by Dorinda Young
Tulsa District Record

Page 12 May/June 2001

T

he 2001 Tulsa Regional Science Fair was held in March at

Tulsa Community College. The Department of the Army,

through the U.S. Army Research Office, has been sponsoring

special awards in Science and Engineering Fairs across the

United States since 1960. Tulsa District continues this tradition locally. High school students are eligible for the awards

which are presented in five categories.

Dawn Knight led a team of Corps judges made up of Glenna

Wheatley, Mary Meeker, Michelle Wilson, Kelly Longfellow,

and Rita Anderson. Criteria was based on demonstrated overall

creative ability, thoroughness, scientific thought or engineering

goals, demonstrated skills, and clarity of information presented.

The judges scanned research logs, questioned students, and

thoroughly evaluated each project. After three hours of critical

assessment, the judges turned their scored cards over to Knight

for compilation.

Col. Leonardo Flor and Mary Meeker honored the winners

at the awards ceremony. Their awards consisted of a certificate

signed by Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera and an “Ultimate

Dayback” backpack. Categories and winners were:

• Earth Science: Ed C. Vogt, sophomore, “What is

the Correct Type of Soil for a Building to be Able to

Stand Firmly?”

• Environmental Science: Halley Curlis, freshman,

“Soapy Poison;”

• Physical Science: Will Geier, freshman, “Ballistic Performance;”

• Engineering: Susan Ham, sophomore, “What Insulates the Best?”

• Team Project: Hannah Skocik, Christa Burks, and

Ryan Morgan, freshmen, “It Hurts My Brain;”

• Overall Award, Engineering: Kent Shaffer, junior,

“Metal Vaporization, Phase III.”

Science Fair Projects

Judged by Corps Team

From left, judges Rita Anderson, Michelle Wilson, Kelly

Longfellow, Mary Meeker and Glenna Wheatley

examine one of the science fair projects.

Our Kids Came to Work

The “Take Your Daughters/Sons to Work Day” was very

successful this year. About 30 children and adults attended.

Following the program in the Tulsa District Office, a picnic

lunch was held at Tenkiller Lake.

After lunch, participants visited the construction site to see

what progress had been made since last year. Next came a tour

of the powerhouse.

Fun was had by all!

Kathy Riggle

Equal Employment Opportunity Office

Children and adults who participated in this year’s “Take Your

Daughters/Sons to Work Day” looked over the construction at

Tenkiller to see the progress made since last year’s outing.

Dan Bentley

New Card Keys Change

Procedures at Tulsa Office

Employees in the Tulsa District Office building recently

received new card keys to go along with the new readers. Motion detectors have been installed on access doors. Here are a

couple of facts to remember:

1. You no longer have to push a button to exit a secure area.

2. You should always present your card to a reader even if the

door is already open.

Some doors have been equipped with reminders to close

them. The reader will beep several times to remind you that the

door has been open too long and the system is about to send an

alarm to the administrator.
Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 13

Condolences

Family Additions

From the Mailbox ?

To Ray Harrison, Fort Gibson

Powerhouse, from Cathi Owens,

vocational counselor, Muskogee High

School:

Thank you so much for allowing

Muskogee High School students to tour

the powerhouse. Our tour guide was very

knowledgeable and friendly to the students. The students gained a lot of

information on the levels of educational

opportunities that are available with the

Corps of Engineers. Plus, the operation

of the plant and being ‘under water’ was

quite an experience for them.

It is wonderful to know that you support education and an opportunity to

enhance a student’s experience in the

world of work. . . Thanks again.

To Bernd Koerber and John Sparlin

from the MODOC Tribe, Miami, Okla.:

You have gone above and beyond expectations in helping us develop the

master plan for 144A low income

homeownership. From all of us, thank

you.

You all made our job here easier and

made us all look good.

Editor’s Note: Tulsa District has

provided governmental services to the

tribe for the completion of a master plan

for a 160-acre subdivision being

developed on tribal trust land. Many

tribal members will have a chance for

first-time homeownership. The project

was funded by the Department of

Housing and Urban Development. Lee Hogue, former chief of Real Estate Division and of Appraisal Branch

died Feb. 28. He was 95 years old, and

retired in 1965.

Faye Kanada, sister of Lloyd Isley,

Robert S. Kerr Area Office, passed away

March 12.

David Gilligan’s mother, Alice

Gilligan, passed away March 19. David is

a lock and dam equipment mechanic

leader at Lock 17 on the navigation system.

Norma Brewer’s mother, Ruth C.

Brewer, passed away March 25. Norma

was a long-time Tulsa District Office

employee. She retired from Quality Assurance Branch in 1995.

Congratulations

To John Sturges, Office of Counsel,

on his recent promotion.

Paul Gray, lake manager at Pat

Mayse Lake, Texas, was a proud father

April 24 as he watched his daughter,

Becky, sign a letter of intent to attend

Oklahoma Christian University in

Edmond, Okla.

Becky is a senior at North Lamar

High School, Paris, Texas, the All-District 14-4A Most Valuable Player, and

co-MVP in the Red River Valley. She

guided the Pantherettes to back-to-back

regional semifinal berths in basketball.

Though she received many offers, Becky

decided to accept the full four-year OCU

scholarship.

Family Member Signs

Letter of Intent

Carla Carrico

Pat Mayse Project Office

Drives scheduled

August 24

October 19

January 25, 2002

American

Red Cross

Results of May Drive

Donors Presenting – 52

First-Time Donors – 1

Units Collected – 47

Luke Allen Bays, born March 22 —

 brother of Lydia Claire Bays, son of

Sharon and Brad Bays, and grandson of

Marie Buster. Marie is a program

assistant in Resource Management

Office.

Andres James Reich, born March 14

— son of Randy and Athena Reich and

grandson of Jimmy Reich, civil

engineering technician in Civil Design

Section, Engineering and Construction

Division.

Todd Carr’s mother, Patricia

Louise Carr Hart, passed away March

25. Todd is the civil engineering technician at Robert S. Kerr Area Office.

Everett J. Headrick, retiree from

Great Salt Plains, passed away March

29.

Frankie Wilhite, retiree, passed

away April 2.

On April 4, Benjamin Morris

Danford, Tulsa District’s first value engineer, died. He served as value

engineer here from 1964-1966 and

then went to Headquarters as the Value

Engineer Officer.

John English passed away April 22.

He was the father of Blake English, mechanical engineering technician in

Design Branch.

James Doakes, retiree, died April

28.

On May 2, Raymond M. Hamby, father of Raymond D. Hamby, lock and

dam operator at W. D. Mayo Lock and

Dam passed away.

Bill Dunlap, father of Kent Dunlap,

lake manager at Keystone Lake, passed

away May 7.
Tulsa District Record

Page 14 May/June 2001

Editor’s Note: Public Affairs Office

recently conducted a mailing list update.

In conjunction, we asked retirees to tell

us about their current activities or share

memories of their time with the district.

Here are some of their responses:

I like fishing and hunting, and enjoy

being with my Corps friends.

Have some trips planned to see our

grandchildren and our sons, both,

stationed in Washington and Aberdeen

Proving Grounds. Also, a trip to

Florida to attend the wedding of our oldest son, Maj. Merle London, and Miss

Kyle Lambert in November.

Merle London, Tulsa

Current Activities: Working on race

cars...

Future Plans: See above...

Memories: Huh??

Jerry VanHoozer, Tulsa

Sure is tough to visit old friends at

the Corps with all the security. I

still play golf and do some bowling. Going down to Lampassas, Texas, to play

in a golf tournament with mostly Corps

employees. I know that I will also

be playing with Paul Parker, Jim McCoy,

and probably a few other retirees from

this district.

On the bowling side, I finished in

fourth place in the Seniors Bracket at a

tournament in Chicago this past season.

Got $200 for it. Also was on the

first-place team for seniors at Sahoma

Lanes in Sapulpa. Our team consisted

of an 88-year-old and 72-year-old gals, a

65-year-old guy and myself (66).

Take care and tell all I said hi.

Ye Ole PBO, Joe Rolinski, Tulsa

I am enjoying retirement, although I

didn’t stay retired too long. I bought a

carpet cleaning service and have interest

in a garden and tool supply company.

These thriving business keep me traveling

about three days a week.

My wife Linda is a lay speaker for

the First United Methodist Church, and

she fills pulpits for vacationing pastors.

This keeps us traveling on some

weekends, especially during the summer

months. We have been blessed with

five grandchildren, ages 9 months to

16 years of age. We are very active in

our local church and community

affairs and still attend the sports events at

our local schools. We both enjoy the

TDR very much and hope that you will

continue to do this worthwhile project.

Blessings.

Sammy J. Johnson, Eufaula, Okla.

I have been diagnosed with cancer

and taking treatments for the last six

weeks. Since I have been getting a lot of

bed rest, I have had a lot of time to think

and remember so many good thoughts

about my work with the Corps.

I have such good memories of Bill

Bishop and Frank Johnson. Bill was the

one who kept giving words of encouragement. He was a real fine man. Joe Pane

and Don Leverett and myself had some

real good experiences working together

also. Some we dare not tell.

I would love to hear from any of you

that I worked with.

Raymond J. Jones

941 Enchanged Valley

Kerrville, TX 78028

My wife and I are scheduled for a

15-day tour of the United Kingdom in

June.

Don Holden, Tulsa

Please keep the TDR coming; it’s

great to know what is happening in the

district.

Spring is here and I have my golf

clubs cleaned up and ready. Have not got

to play this year except in Vegas. I

played Angel Fire the first week of April.

Great course – just a lot of trouble dragging the clubs along on the plane.

We do a lot of traveling now but

don’t care much about driving long distances any more. We fly just about

anywhere we go now. So much easier and

you’re not so tired when you get there.

We have four trips planned for this summer. Kentucky in June; Ontario, Canada,

in July; back to Kentucky in August for a

family reunion; and Vegas in October.

Probably a few trips to Tunica, Miss., in

between.

Just a suggestion – could you print

all the retirees’ e-mail addresses in the

TDR?

Enclosed are several pictures of the

dedication at Newt Graham Lock and

Dam in December 1970. Since you are

running old district pictures, I thought

you might be interested in these.

Walter T. Stone, Inola, Okla.

Editor’s Response: Thank you so much

for the photos. Some will be used in

future editions.

District retirees are definitely

keeping up with advances in

technology. We received many

responses via e-mail. Privacy issues

prevent printing a list of those

addresses, but I’d be willing to serve as

go-between. Call 918-669-7361, let me

know who you want to contact, and I’ll

see if I can help.

. . . I was so glad to start getting the

Tulsa District Record. Kinda still makes

me feel like I’m still a part of the family.

I always enjoyed coming back to Tulsa

and seeing everyone, but the last time I

was there I almost felt like a criminal. I

thought the guard was going to make me

strip. But I guess you have to do what

you have to do to protect yourselves

from the nuts.

. . . Clinta and I are buying and selling

antiques and having a ball, not making any

money but having a good time. We take

three or four trips a year around the

country trying to find a treasure.

Retirement is great. Don’t you dare

miss a day. . .

Mike McCoy, Durant, Okla.

This is Iva, the three-time retiree,

and frankly I wish I had never retired, but

right now I am enjoying life because I

volunteer at two places and do a lot of

work at the church. I keep busy, but I will

never forget the Corps. All people there

are so friendly.

I know when I first started to work

there, back in 1962, I lost my father, who

died of a heart attack at the age of 86, and

even though I didn’t really know anyone,

all the people working in the accounting

section where I was working were so

kind, friendly and sympathetic. I still

have the card they sent to me with all

etiree Roundup
Tulsa District Record

May/June 2001 Page 15

their names on it. And the sad part about

it so many of them that signed the card

have passed away.

Iva Turinsky, Tulsa

I enjoy the Tulsa District Record –

helps me keep up with what’s going on.

Pat Morris, Tulsa

Amazingly, I still see some names of

the people I worked with during my

career with Tulsa District. Of course as

resident engineer for Keystone, Kaw,

and Heyburn from 1968 to 1978, area engineer for the Kansas Area from 1980

to 1987, and area engineer for Northern

Oklahoma from 1987 to 1990 (when I

retired), you do work with a lot of

people.

During my career I supervised 17

of the Tulsa District projects (Northern

Oklahoma, Kansas, and did a temporary

tour for Lake Texoma). I always felt I

had the best job in the Corps of Engineers and had the best people working

with me. The Corps is still the best organization in the federal government, bar

none!

After a seven-year career from 1992

to 1997 at the University of Tulsa

designing petroleum engineering research facilities, I have totally retired.

I now work for the “Real Boss,” my wife,

doing things around our home and

garden. We have had our garden on a

couple of garden tours over the past few

years and do enjoy making it better and

better. I play a little golf and do

some traveling. Sure do recommend retirement!!

Please give my regards to all those

wonderful people I worked with from

1967 to 1990.

Jerry Wilson, Sand Springs, Okla.

I still think of Tulsa as my home base

even though I transferred to the Ohio

River Division Office in 1974 and retired

in 1986. I arrived in Tulsa District in

1951 after spending my first two Corps

years in the Little Rock District. My

TD experience was in Hydrology, Relocations, Design Memoranda, Contract

Plans, Flood Plain Management Services

and Environmental Resources. I am sure

that almost all of my former TD associates are now retired or grazing in

heavenly pastures.

Although we are native Oklahomans,

my wife, Hope, and I chose to remain in

Cincinnati after retirement because our

children formed their roots in this area

and in New England. Most of our local

extracurricular activities are centered

around the church. We still enjoy good

health and travel quite a lot, especially to

visit with family and attend annual reunions of the 102nd Infantry Division.

We get back to the Tulsa area about once

a year and enjoy hearing about the Tulsa

District.

Jerry Greer, Cincinnati, Ohio

I am 77 years old and have lost 95

percent of my hearing, but I do enjoy

reading about the Corps of Engineers,

Tulsa District. I have six great-grandchildren that I enjoy very much.

Robert Rowe, Gore, Okla.

I encourage all retirees to join

NARFE. They do so much to assist us

and at such a small cost.

Leo Robbins, Mannford, Okla.

Enjoying retirement. Staying busy

mowing grass and painting pictures. Like

to paint one for Tenkiller Powerhouse

since I have one at Lock and Dam 17 and

18, also Eufaula Powerhouse and Robert

S. Kerr Powerhouse.

Roy Moore, Gore, Okla.

I still work for the Corps five months

in the summertime – 1991-’92 out of the

St. Paul District on the Minnedota River

at Big Stone, Marsh, and Lac Qui Parle

Lakes; 1996-1999 out of the Albuquerque District on Conchas Lake 35 miles

northwest of Tucumcari, N.M.; 2000-

2001 out of the Omaha District,

Bismarck Project Office, on the Missouri River at Oahe Lake, Beaver Creek

Campground.

Working for the Corps, especially

the Tulsa District, has been one of the

most pleasant work experiences I have

ever been in contact with. Thanks for the

great memories.

Don Hatfield, Ponca City, Okla.

Good health at 98+. Live in retirement community.

Roy Long, Anderson, Ind.

Please keep me on the mailing list. I

enjoy reading what you all are doing. I’m

living in the backwoods of Arkansas (near

Mountain View) where I work part-time

doing cost estimates for a blacksmith

shop (www.stoneiron.com). We make

some pretty nice furniture items and

home accessories. It still amazes me

what these guys can do with iron.

I also have a small side business producing motorcycle accessories. I

started it while I still worked for the

Corps. I don’t make a lot of money

but it keeps me off the streets some. I

ride my motorcycle as often as I can

since this is some of the nicest country

there is for riding.

Dave Berkey, Mountain View, Ark.

Hi to everyone – especially any one

of you working on utility relocations.

I’m SURE that nobody remembers me

since I retired in ’75. However!!!! I

“due” follow everything the Corps does

and it makes me proud to have done my

little bit of writing design memos, etc.,

to relocate utilities because you still do

good work!

Jim Bruton, Duncan, Okla.

My career included 11 years with the

Department of the Interior, three months

with the Agricultural Department, and the

remaining years with the Department of

Defense with my duties as administrative

clerk at Kaw Lake Project, Ponca City,

Okla. I enjoyed all the different phases

of government service and am proud to

have served my country during this time.

Each department has given me many

happy memories and I got to meet and

work with many fine people.

Of course, my highlight of the 27

years of service was being named for

Federal Women’s Week “Woman of the

Year” with the Tulsa District.

Many of whom I worked with have

retired and I am not familiar with the new

employees at the Tulsa District, however,

I am still interested in the ongoing activities and changes that are constantly being

made.

Your newsletter is not only welcomed but an accomplishment from the

Public Affairs Department. . .

Keep up the good work everyone. I

had a lovely career.

Mary Cline, Newkirk, Okla.
Tulsa District Record

Page 16 May/June 2001

Department of the Army

Tulsa District, Corps of Engineers

1645 S 101st East Ave

Tulsa, OK 74128-4609

Flash from the Past – The Early Days of Corporate Challenge?

Here’s a shot of “Hucketts’ Alleys,” the 1939-1940 Tulsa

District bowling league. They are, from the left, front row, D. P.

Grosshans, head, Engineering Section; Capt. R. K. McDonough,

executive officer; H. K. Shane, head, Hydrology and Hydraulic

Section; W. L. Kuehnle, chief, Engineering Division; Joe Sterling, head, Supply Section; Kieth Colwill, Design Section;

James Fraser, Surveys Section; Raymond Jerome, Hydraulic

Section; Robert Garmire, Design Section.

Second row, Harold Feldt, Hydraulic Section; Paul Horn,

Surveys Section; Glenn Bowman, Surveys Section; R. W.

Stringer, chief administrative assistant; Eugene Kent, head,

Constract Sub-Section; George Shepherd, head, Surveys Section; Holger Peterson, Design Section; Burtice Cox, Mapping

Section; Sidney Scisson, Hydraulic Section; Glenn Talley, Hydraulic Section; Horace Wilmot, Hydraulic Section; Richard

Randolph, head, Power Section.

Third row, Robert Larson, Surveys Section; John Lauderdale, Surveys Section; Arba Smith, head, Specifications Section;

Mons Benson, Design Section; Edward Bramlitt, Mapping Section; Claude Waggoner, Supply Section; Glenn Egger, Design

Editor’s Note: Does anyone know who the child is?

If you have old photos that you’re willing to share, please

call 669-7366. The photos will be returned quickly.

Section; Carson Medearis, Cost Section; John Brown, Mapping

Section; W. G. Davis, Cost Section; Maurice Royar, secretary,

local Civil Service Board; Clarence Freeman, Hydraulic Section; J. E. Redford, Design Section; Armando Elias, head,

Mechanical Section; and an unknown child.

Top row, Oliver Johnson, Hydraulic Section; Frank Albosta,

head, Engineering Draft Section; Donald Curtis, Surveys Section; Charles Winch, Supply Section; Edwin Franzen, Design

Section; W. A. Hollingsworth, head, Property Section; W. W.

Johnston, Finance Section; Carl Powell, head, Estimates Section; E. B. Williams, Geology Section; E. A. Cornell, head,

Contract-Construction Section; R. F. Kuechler, Design Section;

Carl Brown, Engineering Section; R. W. Kelley, head, Personnel Section; Edward H. Strand, Hydraulic Section.