A few hours ago I was informed by friends Dexter Merriam Brinker died sometime this morning, July 19 2020, between midnight and five am in Durango Colorado. He was 95.
Dexter was a civil engineer and surveyor. He attended Colorado School of Mines and received his degree in 1949 from University of Colorado. In 1943, he served in the United States Army during World War II in Germany as a forward observer and was awarded a Bronze Star. He was an active member of Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.
He was the major founding member and first president of Professional Land Surveyors of Colorado. Approximately 1971, he began Brinker School of Surveying and Mapping in Denver that offered class-room teaching as well as correspondence courses. Additionally, Dexter presented many surveying papers and seminars. His work and efforts have left a major mark on Colorado's surveying profession and legislation.
A good friend, a mentor and a very knowledgeable person: he will be missed.
Rest in peace Mr. Brinker.
Any relation to Russel C. Brinker who co-authored Paul Wolf's "Elementary Surveying" text?
Thanks Mr. Brinker for your service, warrior, surveyor, educator.
Paul in PA
I remember Dexter!?ÿ Took a few classes with him in the early 1980's.?ÿ Good teacher and explained methods in a manner which was easy to understand.?ÿ I remember he used to always win the "height of a distant object" competition at surveying conferences by holding a pencil up to view the object and doing some quick calcs.?ÿ Thanks for sharing the news of his passing.
Dexter M. Brinker was a brilliant surveyor and super nice guy that I had the pleasure of knowing since the late 1980s. I also knew his sweet wife Mary as well, she passed away in 2016 after a long struggle with dementia. She taught elementary school in Ignacio, Colorado. Dexter was born in Denver as was his father. He was not related to the late Admiral Russell C. Brinker who was from Easton, PA, and died in Sun City, AZ in 1999 at age 90 with no family, both of his wives were deceased.?ÿ
Rest In Peace Dex!?ÿ
Maurice - PLSC would like to post an obituary in Sideshots. We thought you might want to author that. If so, please contact me or Becky Roland to submit your tribute.?ÿ
Scott Thompson
Mesa County Surveyor
PLSC would like to remember Dex in the next edition of Sideshots. Would anyone who knew him well like to contribute an obituary?
@kst-2
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I met Dex a time or two but am not qualified to write an obit for him.?ÿ But I believe these two gentlemen would be able to help you out:
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John Stock: email [email protected] and phone is 602-717-4563.
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Mike Scanlon:?ÿ phone (860) 448-0400
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I hope this helps!
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Jeff Drabing
@kst-2
au2620 933a
Scott I am willing to write obit.
@mlschumann Thank You. You can send it to me or to Becky Roland with PLSC.?ÿ We may have several tributes to publish.
au2620 - 929p
Scott - will attempt to send private message so we can exchange email addresses and other as necessary