Obituary of Frederick Edward Digert

Frederick E. Digert succumbed to prostate and bone cancer on May 13th, 2015, at his home in Boulder, CO. He was 82. He died, as he lived, with honor, strength, love, and dignity. A memorial service will be held June 13th, 2015 (10:30AM), at Pine Street Church, 1237 Pine St. Boulder, CO 80302 and will be officiated by Robert Balance. Born June 8th, 1932 in Milwaukee, WI, to John Frederick Digert and Geraldine Katherine Stein Digert, Frederick graduated from Washington High School (Milwaukee, WI) in 1950. He continued his education, earning a B.S. in Geology in 1954 from the University of Wisconsin, as well as his M.S. in 1956. On July 8th, 1955, he married his childhood sweetheart, Donna June Schmidt Digert, in Milwaukee, having met in seventh grade and starting to date in ninth, thus providing a solid foundation for 59 years of an exciting marriage and a cherished companionship. Frederick explored the world and reveled in its many wonders. He served in the U.S. Army as a nuclear physicist and was based at Fort Ord and the U.S. Army Chemical Center. From 1955 to 1981, he worked in his chosen profession for both Standard Oil Co. of CA and Chevron Oil – Western Division (USA and overseas) as an Explorationist/Geologist/Geophysicist/Stratigrapher/Landman, living in such places as Salt Lake City, Billings, Casper, San Francisco, The Hague (Netherlands), and Denver before retiring as a District Supervisor. Frederick then worked as Vice President of Exploration for Page Petroleum (1981-1984) and as Vice President of Exploration for Trend Exploration (1984-1987). As Co-Founder (1987) and President (1990-2014) of International Exploration Associates, Ltd., Frederick focused mainly upon exploration and drilling in the Chilean Atacama Desert. He lived in Boulder for the last 39 years. Frederick was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, a counselor for Junior Achievement, an active participant in Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout/Ranger Scout, scoutmaster of multiple troops), and a volunteer for 35 years as a First Responder with Lefthand Fire Protection District, including twenty years as Chairman. In addition, he was a custom auto body painter (cars and fire trucks), private pilot, scuba diver, and builder of unique homes. Most importantly, Frederick was a family man who provided his family with every possible opportunity. His son Neall mentioned, “Dad gave us everything, all the time. He always said, ‘Yes.’ However, when my mother jokingly suggested a llama as an indoor pet that could help carry their heavy fire fighting gear up the mountain, my dad suspected a ruse and simply said, ‘No. That’s not going to work.’ It made me realize that he loved us so much that he would not take the slimmest chance, even in jest, to endanger our welfare.” Frederick is survived by his two sons and their families: Neall Digert of Carlsbad, CA, along with his wife, Heidi, and their child, Braden; Scott Digert of Anchorage, AK, plus his wife, Barbara, and their children, Emma and Tristan. Contributions in Frederick’s name may be made to; Lefthand Fire Protection District, 900 Lefthand Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80302, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, Texas 75015, Foothills Community Health Foundation, P.O. Box 9019 Boulder, CO 80301-9019.