Earl Weiss

Earl John Weiss passed away in Dallas on Jan. 25, 2011, from Multiple Myeloma. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be lovingly scattered on the Missouri River in Bismarck in early summer 2011.

Earl was born in Hazelton on the 5th day of August 1933, to Hazel Baker Weiss and Earl Paul Weiss. He was the third oldest of eight children, Joan Weiss Fricke, Patricia "Patty" Weiss Drumheller, Robert "Bobby" Weiss, Frederick "Fred" Weiss, Kathryn "Kay" Weiss Bickel, Paul Weiss and Kerry Weiss.

He attended St. Mary's Central Grade and High School of Bismarck, graduating the 27th day of May 1951. Earl then completed his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering at the North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo on the 21st day of December 1956.

In January 1957, Earl re-located to St. Louis, Mo. He accepted a civil engineering position in the Structural Dynamics Department of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. It was here that he met his close and life-long friend, Ray Tauser. Earl was also welcomed and loved by the Opal Hutsler family. In 1959, he advanced to the Missouri State Highway Department in the Traffic Department, responsible for traffic and signing. Over the years, many life-long friendships grew with the Wolbaum, Wald, Benner, Nixon, Casper, Noble, Hartman, Yallaly, Lampe, Knutson, Dickherber, Henke, Kirchner, Gerrard, Hall and Priess families.

Earl was drafted into the U.S. Army on the 13th day of July 1958, in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. On the 19th day of December 1958, Earl was honorably discharged from active duty and re-instated into the U.S. Army National Guard. On the 3rd day of May 1962, he received an honorable discharge.

Earl then moved back to St. Louis and accepted a position with J.S. Alberici as a civil engineer. He was responsible for various projects, including the I-44 Highway Construction and the Third Street reversible lanes, downtown, St. Louis. In 1969, he founded his own bridge and road construction company with business partner and longtime friend, Chuck Christian, forming Christian Contracting, Incorporated.

In 1968, Earl and Betty Woodward were married. On the 19th day of May 1969, Earl welcomed his son, John Earl, born at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis. On the 19th day of November 1970, his twin daughters were welcomed, Kathryn Ann and Courtney Lynn, also born at Barnes Hospital. Earl and his family resided in St. Charles, Mo.

In 1999, Earl retired and moved back to Bismarck, living along the Missouri River, where he loved to fish and watch wildlife from his porch. One of many highlights was watching moose and other wildlife cross the river. He had a boat dock and two boats, so fishing was a daily favorite throughout all the seasons, including winter ice fishing and duck hunting. Fondly by his side, he had the loyal and faithful companionship of his English Setter, Gus.

He shared many good times and adventures to Colorado, New York, Maryland, Montana, Missouri, Oregon, Canada and Texas with close friends and his family (brothers, sisters, children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren). At family get-togethers and holidays, he cooked his famous barbecue pork chops and fish frys. And, on cold days, good cheer was spread with Tom and Jerrys.

In 2004, Earl moved to Dallas to be near his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his loving children: son, John (Irina) Weiss and their daughter, Sophia; daughter, Kathy (Greg) Lowenstein and their children, Mackenzie, Brooks, Caden and Campbell; and daughter, Courtney and her two dogs, Peanut and Wilbur, and her close friend, Todd. He is also survived by his dear siblings: sister, Joan Fricke, Bismarck, (and children); brothers, Frederick (Sandy), Ft. Collins, Colo., (and children), Paul (Roxanne), Silver Springs, Md., (and children), and Kerry (Michele), Annapolis, Md., (and children); his niece, Michele Bickel Schroeder (Todd), Baldwin, (and children); his ex-wife, Betty Weiss and sister-in-law, Jeannette McDougal, Osceola, Ark.; brother-in-law, Jack Drumheller, Bozeman, Mont., (and children); and sister-in-law, Millie Weiss (and children), Yuma, Ariz.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Paul and Hazel; brother, Bobby; brother-in-law, Neil Fricke; sisters, Patty Drumheller and Kay Bickel; brother-in-law, Lyle Bickel; and his loving dog, Gus.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to combat Earl's disease to, The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, http://www.themmrf.org/.