Carleton Scott Babb

The eldest of five, Carl was born to Carleton Wayne Babb and Betty Mae (Bannon) Babb on September 30, 1944 in Marquette, MI, after his father was deployed to the Philippines during WWII. Carl was active in Boy Scouts (receiving the Order of the Arrow), Explorer Scouts, and DeMolay. He played the cornet in band and later the soprano bugle in a drum and bugle corps. Carl attended three high schools, including Graveraet in Marquette, graduating from Grand Ledge High School in Michigan in 1962. He went on to earn a master’s degree in petroleum geology from Michigan State University in 1969 (Go green!) and was also an ROTC distinguished military graduate. He married the love of his life, Melinda, in 1967.

After college graduation, he served two years as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps at Ft. McClellan, AL, and Ft. Douglas, UT, before receiving an honorable discharge. He then began his career in oil and gas exploration and development, working for Unocal for 23 years in Illinois, Texas, Wyoming, and Michigan. He made a career shift in 1993, earning a master’s degree in hydrogeology from Western Michigan University. He joyfully returned to Casper in 1993, employed by Hydro-Engineering and later Gene George & Associates. In 2001 Carl formed his own consulting company.

Carl loved spending time with Melinda and their three daughters, sons-in-law, and seven granddaughters. Still, he found time to be very active in his community and beyond, including having served as a Junior Achievement Advisor, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Delegate, President and 1st Vice President of the Wyoming Geological Association, member of the Natrona County Planning Commission, Tate Museum Advisory Board Member, adult education instructor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the First United Methodist Church, Charter Member of Natrona County High School’s Parents’ Advisory Committee, and an Adjunct Instructor of geology and hydrogeology at Casper College.

He had many hobbies and interests: cross country skiing, sailing, tennis, photography, hiking, camping, astronomy, and puttering. He loved to stay busy, frequently telling his exhausted family, “We’re burning daylight!”

Carl is survived by wife Melinda Babb; daughters Stacy Needles, Courtney Shosh, and Lindsey Babb Bailey and their families; two brothers, Craig Babb and Casey Babb; one sister, Christine Babb Ingalls; and many nieces and nephews.

He was welcomed on the other side by his mother; father; one brother, Curtis Babb; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and far beyond.

A celebration of life was held Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m. at the Casper Senior Center, Casper, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a donation made to the organization of your choice in his memory. Arrangements by Bustard & Jacoby Funeral Home, Casper, WY.