Bill Eskeldson Obituary

Bill Eskeldson was born April 11, 1912 in Boise, Idaho. His parents were Peter Eskeldson and Emma Marie Poulson. Graduating from Boise High School in 1930, he surveyed for the Land Office (now Bureau of Land Management) in remote sections of Idaho before obtaining a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Idaho in 1938. He married Margaret Ellen Sandmeyer of Boise in 1941. They had three children, Margaret Ellen (Dorr), William Peter, and John Andrew. In 1941 he also began a 20 year career with Morrison Knudson Company. In 1953 he left MK, relocated to Colorado Springs, and established Castle Concrete Company to provide high-grade limestone aggregate for the Air Force Academy and local projects. After selling his interest in Castle Concrete, he started Springs Silica Sand and operated a sand plant near Fountain, Colorado. He later was associated with Boyles Brothers Diamond Drilling of Salt Lake City, Utah. His work included the initial core sample drilling of Cheyenne Mountain, prior to the construction of NORAD. His final employer was the City of Colorado Springs Utility Department, where he worked as an engineer with the Water Division. After retirement, Bill taught surveying and Algebra at Pikes Peak Community College. He also worked as a volunteer on the trail systems at the Rock Ledge Ranch and Garden of the Gods. He died at home in Colorado Springs on November 1, 2007. He was 95. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; his wife, Margaret; and his son Peter. He is survived by his daughter Peggy Dorr of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and her children; Karen Cowan (Jay) of Vacaville, CA and Bill Dorr (Robin) of Steamboat Springs, CO. He also is survived by his son, John Eskeldson (Maralee) of Colorado Springs, and sons, Ben, Tom and daughter, Hannah. He has three great-grandchildren. Memorial donations can be made to Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation.