Masonry Magazine November 2008 Page. 47
Industry News
# Edgar Boettcher Passes
Edgar Paul "J.R." Boettcher Jr., 79, of Traverse City, Mich., passed away Sept. 15, 2008, at Orchard Creek Supportive Care. J.R. was born in Saginaw on Jan. 1, 1929. He married Gertrude D. Doyle on April 10, 1948, in Saginaw. A long time resident of Saginaw, J.R. and his wife moved to Traverse City from Saginaw, then to Lake City, later returning to Traverse City. An entrepreneur, he was the founder and owner of Boettcher Masonry in Saginaw, Bay City and Traverse City and, later, The Landing Marina in Lake City.
J.R. was active in the masonry business and was well respected by his peers. He was a gold, 50-year, card-carrying member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Union. During his years in the business, he was president of the Mason Contractors Association, president of the Saginaw Valley Contractors Association, and a founder of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Local #7 apprenticeship program, and he served as trustee for many years. He was a member of the Associated General Contractors Labor Advisory Committee. J.R. served on negotiating teams and as an arbitrator from 1953 until he retired in 1984. He was inducted into the Michigan Bricklayers' Hall of Fame. He was a life member of the Elks Club and was Elk of the Year in 1969. In Lake City, he was a member of the City Council and president of the Chamber of Commerce. J.R. was a former member of St. Helen Catholic Parish in Saginaw and was a current member of St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and watching all types of sports (especially hockey, a sport many of his grandchildren have been involved in). The family asks that memorials be directed to the Edgar P. Boettcher Jr. Scholarship Fund. You may share memories and condolences with the family at www.legacy.com/record-eagle.
# Spider Hires Atkinson as Sales Rep, Vancouver
Spider, a division of SafeWorks LLC, hired Jason Atkinson as district sales representative for its Vancouver location. Atkinson is responsible for solving the suspended access and safety challenges of contractors and facility owners in Vancouver, British Columbia and western Canada. He brings more than 12 years of sales experience to Spider. Throughout his career he has received numerous accolades and awards for his outstanding sales results and customer service skills.
# MSA's Feldstein Honored
Joseph Feldstein, manager of MSA's fall protection technical services, was honored with an award for distinguished service from the American Society of Safety Engineers. The ASSE Charles V. Culbertson Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in 2007-2008 recognizes Feldstein's work on the ANSI Z359-2007 Fall Protection Code and his service since 1999 as chairman of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO TC94/SC4. Feldstein has 18 years of experience in fall protection product design and standards development.