Interview with Bob Biglow, b. October 29, 1941 and died Aug. 14, 2014. Bob discusses skiing around Marshall Pass, being drafted into the U.S. Army, and his surveying business here in Salida., Robert G. Biglow, 72, of Salida died Aug. 14, 2014, at his home.
He was born Oct. 29, 1941, in Salida to Sylvia and Robert B. Biglow.
He grew up in his father’s Texaco Service Station, learning all of his dad’s mechanic skills from hands-on experience and developing a love for classic vehicles.
He attended Salida schools, graduating in 1959.
Mr. Biglow earned a bachelor’s degree from Western State College in 1964, majoring in math and geology, and went on to Colorado School of Mines for a year of graduate study.
As a college student, he worked weekends for Salida surveyor Robert F. Harrison and went to work for 2 years as a cadastral surveyor with the Bureau of Land Management, based in Denver.
In 1966, he married Virginia “Ginny” Macdonald of Pueblo.
In response to the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, Engineer Branch. He served in Vietnam in 1969, becoming a captain and commanding D Company, 864th Engineer Battalion in the Highlands area of Vietnam building roads.
The subsequent 2 years he spent in Fort Worth, Texas, as a Corps of Engineers officer.
Mr. Biglow made the decision to return to Salida to work for Harrison Surveying and continued to intermittently serve in the Army Ready Reserves for 20 years after his active duty.
When the opportunity arose to purchase the business, he began Biglow Land Surveyors in 1973.
He moved his business into the building that held his dad’s Texaco Station in 1985 to continue the family connection at that address.
Mr. Biglow loved his chosen career as a land surveyor and took pride in the maps and surveys he produced.
One of his life accomplishments was to be listed in the Colorado Who’s Who in 1966-67 as the youngest registered land surveyor in the state.
He was briefly a member the Salida Lions Club and served 30 years as a member and chairman of the Salida Planning Commission.
Mr. Biglow was respected for his historical knowledge of the town and his even-handed decisions.
He was especially proud of his Irish and Norwegian heritage, flying those national flags at his office.
Although he joked that he was the “Troll of Salida,” he approached people and life with an open and positive attitude.
from:
http://www.themountainmail.com/obituaries/article_3a6380d0-27b3-11e4-8172-001a4bcf6878.html
