Brock Reid Settlemier Sr.

1934 - 2013

Brock Reid Settlemier, Sr.
July 23, 1934 - August 1, 2013
Resident of Piedmont, California
Brock Reid Settlemier, Sr, American Industrialist and beloved family patriarch dies at 79
Brock Settlemier, former Owner and President and CEO of Bigge Crane and Rigging Co, passed away peacefully in his home on the evening of August 1st surrounded by his family, after a two year battle with prostate cancer.
Brock Settlemier, former Owner and President and CEO of Bigge Crane and Rigging Co, passed away peacefully in his home on the evening of August 1st surrounded by his family, after a two year battle with prostate cancer.
Born in Palo Alto on July 23, 1934, Brock was raised in San Francisco, attended Lowell High School and graduated from Mount Tamalpais High School for Boys. In 1952, he entered the University of California at Berkeley where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, stroked Freshman Crew, and played two years of Varsity Rugby winning two consecutive National Championships. Brock graduated from UCB in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In1957, he married his college sweetheart, Marlene Bigge. After two years serving in the U.S. Army, in 1958, Brock joined Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. In 1980 he purchased Bigge where he served as President and CEO for the next 25 years. During his over 40 year tenure at Bigge, he grew the company into a worldwide player in nuclear power construction, heavy crane rental, power generation and heavy lift rigging. He traveled extensively for over two decades and managed major heavy lift rigging projects on 5 continents in over 30 countries. Bigge won industry awards for rigging projects in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Hong Kong, Brazil, Venezuela and the United States. In 2003, Brock received the industry's most prestigious honor, the Golden Eagle Achievement Award for outstanding lifetime accomplishments. Brock held a general engineering contractors license for over 40 years. His trade associations include the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association, Crane Owners Association, the Beavers and the Association of General Contractors of America.
With a persistent will and spirit, Brock completed 68 marathons. Brock won the 1st Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon as a Senior at age 46 and competed in many other triathlons and endurance events. Brock was a lifetime member of the Society of California Pioneers, an avid golfer, skier and woodworker. He was a loving spouse, a great father and a generous friend. Brock and Marlene were engaged community members in Piedmont and Lake Tahoe, where they spent the majority of their lives together.
Brock is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marlene Bigge Settlemier, his daughter Laura Settlemier McIntyre (spouse Charles) of Thousand Oaks, CA, his daughter Juliet Settlemier Ivey (spouse Henry Ivey) of Monte Sereno, CA, his sons Brock Reid Settlemier, Jr (spouse Amy) and Weston James Settlemier (spouse Lisa), both of Piedmont, CA. He is survived by nine grandchildren as well as his brother Grant Settlemier (spouse Joni) of San Francisco, CA.
Brock will be remembered as an innovative leader and an industry pioneer. Brock will be mourned by his family, for which he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor and great friend.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to The Brock R. Settlemier Memorial Fund for Rugby, payable to UC Berkeley Foundation, and sent to:
University of California Berkeley
Intercollegiate Athletics
195 Haas Pavilion
Berkeley, CA 94720
510-642-2427
C/O Phil Esten