Al Willis BOURQUIN

Dr. Al Willis Bourquin, PhD., age 62, passed away November 5, 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents Ervin and Thelma Steubing Bourquin. He is survived by his brothers and sister-in-laws, Larry and Carolyn Bourquin and Stephen and Beth Bourquin and his sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Jimmie Allen, 39 nieces and nephews. Al was born on March 2, 1943 in Castroville, TX. After graduating from St. Louis School in 1961, he received his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Houston in 1965, his Master of Science in Biochemistry in 1968 and doctorate in 1971. During his graduate career he worked at NASA during the days of early lunar explorations. Following graduation, Al was offered a research position with the newly organized EPA where he progressed through the ranks becoming one of the country's leading experts in biological cleanup of hazardous and toxic chemicals in the environment. Al directed EPA's national program in the development of biological treatment systems for cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater. In 1987, he accepted a position as VP of R & D at Ecova Corporation in Seattle, WA and was later asked to direct technical development and sales throughout Europe. In 1992, he resigned from Ecova Europe and accepted a position with Camp Dresser & McKee, an international environmental engineering firm. Al was VP in charge of environmental remediation technologies and a member of CDM's elite 'Corporate Consultants'. He authored over 120 peer reviewed publications and was a sought after speaker at most professional symposia and workshops in his field. Al belonged to the Castro Colonies Heritage Association as he was proud of his Alsatian heritage and spent countless hours searching his ancestry throughout the United States and Europe. He loved to travel and cherished his world-wide network of dear friends. Visitation is Wednesday, Nov. 9, from 12:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Prayer Service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Mass of Resurrection in celebration of his life will be Thursday, Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church with interment in St. Louis Cemetery. The Family requests memorials be made to the St. Louis Catholic School Endowment Fund. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com. Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home.