Obituaries

Doug Menzmer, bridge engineer

Doug Menzmer

Doug Menzmer

Courtesy of California Transportation Foundation

Note: The following information was shared on Aug. 17 on behalf of Caltrans bridge engineer Gudmund Setberg.

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Doug Menzmer passed away this weekend after a brief illness.

Doug spent the majority of his Caltrans career with structure design starting in Bridge Design Branch 01 and promoting to senior bridge engineer in Bridge Design Branch 12.

A few years ago, Doug joined Bridge Design Branch 02 where he has been using his engineering talents to advance accelerated bridge construction and has contributed significantly to the development of standardized fish passage bridges.

Doug left a lasting impression with everyone he crossed paths with due to his gentle and kind nature.

Doug is survived by his wife and their three children. Please keep Doug and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.


William Albert Suitor, retired civil engineer

William Albert Suitor

William Albert Suitor

Illustration courtesy of the Tehachapi News

Note: The following obituary and accompanying artwork appeared in the June 15 edition of the Tehachapi News.

Retired Caltrans engineer William Albert Suitor, 83, of Tehachapi passed away on Monday, June 8. Bill was born on Jan. 17, 1937 in Barre City, Vt., to James and Ethel Suitor. Their family later moved to York, Maine, where he and his three sisters were raised by their mother and dad.

Bill graduated high school in 1955 and attended the University of Maine where he studied civil engineering. Also at that time he met the love of his life, Marie Boyer, whom he later married. After graduating, Bill and Marie moved to California where they started their family and Bill got his first job with Caltrans. He became a professional engineer in California and worked as a civil engineer for over 40 years with the Division of Highways, Bridge Department (17 years), county of Sacramento, and Kern County Public Works Director. Bill officially retired in October 1994.

Bill loved the outdoors, golfing, camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing. His favorite sport was golf, where he was an avid and accomplished golfer, starting with his caddy work at the York Country Club in Maine. His love for the sport only grew as he got older. Bill would play four to five times a week and was crowned Club Champion several times at his home course of Horse Thief Country Club in Stallion Springs. Bill’s greatest golf achievement was his seven each “Hole in One” shots, including aces on all four par threes.

Bill was a true family man and cherished his annual visit to his hometown of York Beach, Maine, to see his aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was a loving father and grandfather. He was preceded in passing by his beloved wife of 55 years, Marie Suitor, and his son, Scott. Bill is survived by his son, Glenn Suitor (Katie); daughter, Elizabeth Bates (Crandall); sisters, Linda Davis and Jane Pratt; and grandchildren, Cuentin, Colby, Bridgette, and William.


Leo J. Trombatore, Caltrans director in mid-1980s

Leo Trombatore, Caltrans director 1983-1988

Leo J. Trombatore

Caltrans archives

Note: The following information is taken from an obituary that was published Sept. 11 in The Sacramento Bee.

Leo J. Trombatore, who served as Caltrans director for five years in the 1980s, died Sept. 3 in Yuba City. He was 94.

Prior to being named Caltrans director in 1983, Leo served 35 years with the department, including seven years as District 3 director in Marysville, eight years as deputy district director for planning and design in the San Francisco District 4 office, and 20 years as assistant district director in the Los Angeles area.

After Leo left Caltrans in 1988, he went on to become the vice president of De Leuw, Cather & Company. He was an emeritus member at Peach Tree Country Club in Yuba City.

Leo is survived by children Linda C. Wisner, Michael J. Trombatore, and Pamela J. Trombatore (Crystal); grandchildren Hank Wisner, Cammie Howard, Kelly Wisner (Cindy), Andrew Trombatore and Nick Trombatore; and great-grandchildren Joey Howard, Kaylee Howard, Aiden Trombatore, Brody Trombatore, Evie Baldovino, Sarah Bartholomew, Nick Bartholomew (Sarai) and Joey Davis; as well as nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Shirley, his son Jeffrey, his brother Benjamin Trombatore.


Harry J. Valentine Jr., retired civil engineer

Harry J. Valentine

Harry J. Valentine Jr.

Illustration courtesy of The Sacramento Bee

Note: The following obituary was published March 8 in The Sacramento Bee.

Longtime Caltrans engineer Harry J. Valentine Jr. died on Feb. 29 in Fair Oaks. He was 93.

Harry was born in Phoenix in 1926 to Harry J. Valentine Sr. and Berna Mae (Bangs) Valentine. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946-47 and graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s of science in civil engineering in 1951.

After meeting Ellen in Sacramento in 1951, they married on June 3, 1952. In 1952 Harry also began a 46-year career in state service with Caltrans. They had two children: Peggy was born in 1953 and Ross in 1955.

Harry and Ellen became charter members of Arden Christian Church in 1956.

Harry continued his love of flying and sailing (Pride II sailboat) in the years to come. He shared annual Christmas letters, and memories of his life.