William Paul Agster

The following was written by William Paul Agster on September 27, 2008: I was born in Chicago, Illinois at 12:50PM on August 6, 1935. At that time, my mother was a non-working housewife and my dad worked for EJ & E Railroad. My dad's name was Charles John Agster and my mother was Hattie Sobolewski Agster. I was named after my dad's father, Wilhelm and his dad's brother William. My middle name Paul was after my mom's physician, Dr. Paul Rosborough. My mom was grateful to the doctor as he insisted she give birth to me in the hospital, against her wishes. My mom wanted to give birth to me at home to save expenses and he would not let her do it. The birth was difficult and it was likely that either one of us would have died if she gave birth at home without hospital facilities. My dad's mother was Pauline Agster. She was born December 10, 1869 and died April 3, 1939. I have faint memories of Pauline. She lived in a basement of a house at 915 Harlem Ave. in Forest Lake. After graduation from Proviso High School in 1953, I graduated from the University of Illinios with a BS Degree in Geology. I attended Louisiana State University and graduated in 1960 with a MS Degree in Geology. I worked for LSU in West Pakistan and literary research in Europe. An ROTC commitment required me to serve three years on active duty with most of the time as Battalion Intelligence Officer at a Nike Hercules Missle Headquarters in Orland Park, Illinois. I resigned from active duty in February 1963 and took employment as an Exploration Geologist with Texaco in Houston, Texas. I managed exploration of onshore Texas from the Sabine River to the Rio Grande. I then managed exploration of offshore Texas and was transferred in 1974 to New Orleans, Louisiana to assist management of oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1980, we were transfered to Denver, Colorado and I became the Division geologist of the Rocky Mountains. I became Regional Manager of Exploration responsible for oil exploration at various times from specific areas between the eastern seaboard and offshoe California. I retired from Texaco in October 1992. I married Mary Stearns on February 11, 1961. We have a son William Paul, Jr. born September 14, 1962 and a daughter, Susan Paula born September 18, 1966. I was a volunteer Director for the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC) from 1987, in Colorado and served 3- 3 year terms as director on the national board of the organization. I attended board meetings quarterly and was instrumental in planning and presenting at two conventions a year during that nine year period. The organization had close to 750, 000 people. The NAIC lost a significant number of members after the stock market ""bubble burst"" in 2001. This is the organization of investment clubs in the United States. I lectured to groups on the stock market and how to run a profitable investment club, having spoken to over 1, 000 groups throughout the country by 2003. I made many trips out of Colorado for NAIC, mostly to California but also to such places as Florida and Hawaii. Many times Mary was able to join me. Since then I have taken time to enjoy and help raise our grandchildren. We have taken them on annual camping trips. From September 2004 to August 2008, I have truly enjoyed hiking the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with Curtis Kea, John Rogers, and Pat Callahan, all ex-Texaco retirees. We have averaged at least one hike a week with a number of hikes over 13, 000 and 14, 000 feet in elevation. Our longest hike in one day was 18.3 miles and we made it to the summits of four 14, 000 foot peaks in one day. This is the best way to enjoy the beauty of Colorado. We are blessed with what we have. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visitation to be held, 5:00-7:00 PM followed by Recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road, Centennial, Colorado. Funeral Mass to be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at St. Thomas More Cathloic Church, 8035 South Quebec Street, Centennial, Colorado. Funeral Mass will be followed by Interment at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado at 1:15 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Volunteers Outdoor Colorado, 600 South Marion Parkway, Denver, Colorado 80209. Please share memories of William and condolences with his family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" tab below.