23
sponded "how long will it take to fix." Bob
says he has forever appreciated the patience ex-
hibited by many drillers when dealing with this
"wet behind the ears" geologist.
At Conoco, Bob's first boss was Ma y-
nard Olson. Bob found that he was an excellent
influence in the fields of work and professional
ethics. For his part Bob has very good advice to
the young geologist entering the field: "Never
make an interpretation without examining all
the material and literature available. Don't b e-
come discouraged; there is an answer to the
problem, whether the problem is science or hu-
man. Learn from your dry holes!! Remember
from each success that you have there is some-
one that can share the credit."
Bob recalls from the period that he
worked in Wichita that Bill Iversen was one of
the favorite characters that he encountered. Bill
once submitted to Bob an invoice for well sit-
ting, with his dog. A paw print from the dog,
Butch, was used as the signature. Bob says that
he always accused Bill of making Butch do
most of the work. Bob is looking forward to the
hereafter so that he and Bill may resume their
arguments on Kansas faulting.
One well in particular sticks in Bob's
memory. There had been eleven successful
completions in the Mississippian and Simpson
in the Meek North Field in which Bob had a
working interest. There was a considerable
amount of modern seismic at their disposal.
They concluded that their highest Simpson was
still undrilled. They proceeded to drill the #8
Bates into the Arbuckle and the well was in fact
the highest Simpson datum in the field, sur-
rounded by successful wells, 152 feet higher
than the lowest Simpson producer and it tested
water. Bob says, "This is Kansas ge ology."
While in Kansas, Bob provided infor-
mation on Kansas drilling to the AAPG, served
on the Kansas Field Nomenclature Committee,
and also served on the KGS Picnic Committee.
He has also served the profession and industry
as Delegate to the AAPG House of Delegates,
Chairman of the 1959 Billings Geological Soci-
ety Field Conference, and Convention Chairman
of the Rocky Mountain Section of the AAPG
Annual Meeting.
From 1970-until 1973, Bob was an In-
dependent Geologist in Denver. In 1973, he
joined Beren Corp in Denver as Exploration
Manager where he was employed until 1981.
Once again he became an independent and was
at this time that he founded Tri-dec Exploration
and Kachemak Mining Corporation.
In 1990, he married Angela (Annie)
Sandahl Kline who has three children: Richard,
Major U.S. Army, retired, now financial super-
visor of Veteran's Hospital, Omaha, NE., Kim,
Commander, U.S. Navy, retired, Abstractor,
Omaha, NE. and Jonathan, Founder and Presi-
dent, Indigo Graphics, Omaha, NE.
Bob has been active in the community:
serving homeowner's associations, Boy Scouts,
etc. He has served his church as Sunday School
Superintendent, Board of Deacons member and
on the Church Council.
Over the years he has been a member of
the AAPG, WGS, RMAG, DAPL, AMA, and
Sigma Xi.
Even though he is not currently active
in the oil industry, he is active in geological pur-
suits. He has just commenced a geological and
chemical study of the local ground surface wa-
ter in NE Nebraska. This study is in response
to the situation where there is currently little or
no meaningful state or local control of surface
and ground water, thus the water quantity and
quality are deteriorating.
Bob doesn't leave any doubt about his
feelings as to his geological career. As he states,
"I have never had a day that I did not enjoy my
work. A few people have bothered me, but not
many. I love being a geologist."
For the future, Bob plans to work on his
water study and his golf game.