History, page 2

In 1977 our organization was pleased to assist the retirees of the Survey's former Topographic Division in the formation of "TD Retirees" (now "Mapping Retirees") and two years later did the same for Geological Division retirees who established "GD Retirees".

In 2006 an Internet page (WRDRetirees.org) was developed that shows the History of WRD Retirees, Constitution and Bylaws, Local Meetings, Reunions, the Hydrologic Technician Scholarship program that started in 2006, and online application forms. Ken Lanfear runs the Internet page.

"WRD Retirees" and the Water Resources Division headquarters have developed a mutually beneficial relationship. Space on the 5th floor of the National Center is assigned to "WRD Retirees" as a headquarters base. Biographical or other information is kept for each current and former member and material relating to WRD's personnel history is being accumulated. The Division provides various critical services and support. In turn, it receives copies of each newsletter and directory for distribution to all field offices and within HQ. Division officials also make frequent requests for current addresses of retirees for various uses. Tom Buchanan, Asst. Chief Hydrologist for Operations from 1976 until his retirement in 1986, was the designated liaison official for "WRD Retirees" and contributed greatly toward mutually beneficial relations. He was succeeded by Bill Mann, then Cathy Hill, and now Bill Werkheiser, the Regional Hydrologist, Northeast Region.

The Division also has found that information collected by "WRD Retirees" is vital in its historical documentation. The more than 200 retiree volunteers who have written statements of field activities for the WRD History series--1947-57 (Vol. V), 1957-66 (Vol. VI), 1966-79 (Vol VII), and 1979-94 (Vol VIII) were essentially selected and contacted through information in "WRD Retirees" files.

The 2009 directory, the 35th edition, lists nearly 1400 retirees, surviving spouses and affiliate members. Although a sizeable number of the earlier members have been taken by death, and although about a dozen members a year "drop out" for various reasons, about one half of those retiring replenish our rolls. As long as our retirees continue "to seek to keep in touch with each other and with their former agency" (the organization's stated purpose) the future of WRD Retirees will be secure.

In October 1981, then President Walt Durum hosted a "Founding Day" luncheon in celebration of the 93rd anniversary of WRD's formal establishment. Walt proposed a retiree-supported Founding Day event for the following year. The suggestion was received with enthusiasm and on October 2, 1982, at the USGS National Center with Milt Hackett presiding, the WRD Retirees held the first of what became a series of biennial gatherings. Reunions have since been held at the Denver Federal Center (1984), Baton Rouge (1986), near Seattle (1988), Orlando (1990), Williamsburg VA (1992), Albuquerque (1994), at Asilomar, CA (1996), Lancaster, PA (1998), Atlanta (2000), San Antonio (2002), Portland, OR (2004), Madison WI (2006), and Tampa FL (2008). The reunion in year 2010 will be held in Denver, Colorado. Under the leadership of Hal Langford and Porter Ward, a pictorial chronicle of the first six reunions was produced in 1993 and distributed to the members. Photos from reunions since 2006 can be viewed at WRDRetirees.org.

Regional Directors: Elected to assist the organization for the 2010-11 biennium were: Marvin Sherrill (NR), Dan Duerr (SR), James Blakey (CR), and Chet Zenone (WR). Since 1976 members who served as Regional Directors are: (NR) Wyatt Gambrell, Felix Pauzek, Don Corbett, Norm Beamer (twice), Bill Forrest, Joe Upson, Dave McCartney (3 terms), Pat Walker, Herman Feltz, Bob Schoen, Andy Anderson, John Ritter; and Bill Shope; (SR) Frank Barrick, Malcolm Hale, Ken Young, Bill Billingsly, Abe Cameron, Clyde Conover, Don Jordan, Ken Vanlier, Rex Meyer, Harold Golden, Jim Cook (3 terms), Don Leifeste, Jeff Armbruster; Russ Wagner, and Lynn Barr; (CR) Earl Harbeck, Erwin Asselstine, Irene Paulson, Thad McLaughlin, Ty Dover, Hugh Hudson, Al Clebsch, Lucille Foxhoven, Virginia Jesser, John Monis, Rudy Dosch, Jim Blakey, Vern Norman, Dave Lystrom, Elaine Gockel, and Saundra Duncan; (WR) Arvi Waananen, Paul Benedict, Ken Phillips, Will Burnham, Jack Feth, Elwood Leeson, Loren Young, Hal Kinnison, Stan Lord, Chuck Collier, Stan Kapustka (twice), Jerry Parker (twice), Dave Appel, and Charlie Morgan.

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www.wrdretirees.org contact: wrdretirees@usgs.gov