Donald Ray Hembre

Donald Ray Hembre, age 83, passed away on Monday, March 7, 2016. He was the eldest of four children of Invald Oscar Hembre and Margit Serine Fond, born on Easter of 1932, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. At age 15 the family moved from Barron to Madison and Don graduated from West High in 1950. He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota for two years where he met his wife-to-be, Carol Halsor. They transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Madison where he earned BS and MS degrees in Geology in 1954 and 1955. Don began his career in petroleum geology working for Standard Oil of California in Los Angeles. After six years his family (wife and then three children) moved to Littleton where he began to work for Franco Western Oil in Denver. Soon after the move their youngest child, Susan, was born and they have lived in Littleton ever since, now 54 years. All four of their children graduated from South Elementary, Grant Junior High and Littleton High School. In their early years in Littleton, Don served on the Library Board which guided the creation of Bemis Public Library in 1965. Professionally, he later worked with Amoco Oil and Midwest Oil before founding his own company, Lewis & Clark Exploration in 1974. Lewis & Clark's expertise focused on prospects in the Rocky Mountain West for over 40 years. Don also enjoyed active involvement in the AAPG and RMAG throughout his career. Don loved the outdoors and sports of all kinds. He played baseball and football into his college years, and enjoyed skiing, playing tennis and golf until he was eighty. Likewise he was a great sports fan and followed the teams of Colorado and Wisconsin in many sports with great pleasure. Needless to say, he was thrilled with the outcome of Superbowl 50. He and Carol loved to travel with family, play bridge with friends and were active in their neighborhood, church and the Littleton community. Don is survived by his wife of 62 years Carol and their four children (spouses) and eight grandchildren: Robert T. (Patrica L.) and children Kristin, Erik (Leah), Lisa and Michael of Johnson City, TN; David E. (Jill M. McGowan) and son Theo of Falmouth, ME; Kristine E. and daughter Elise of Frisco, CO; and Susan L. (Robert McKeen) and children Brynne and Connor of Campbell, CA. A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Littleton on Saturday, March 26 at 4 pm. A reception at the church will follow. Please share memories of Donald and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.