Brock Settlemier, former owner, president, and CEO of the San Leandro, Calif. branch of Bigge Crane & Rigging Co., passed away at home, surrounded by family on Aug. 1, informs SC&RA.
Settlemier graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree from 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).
Settlemier joined Bigge in 1958 after two years in the U.S. Army; he purchased the company in 1980. During 40 years at Bigge, he grew the company into a global 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 five continents in more than 30 countries.
In the process, Bigge won numerous SC&RA Rigging Job of the Year awards. In 2003, Settlemier received SC&RA’s most prestigious honor, the Golden Achievement Award, for outstanding lifetime accomplishments. He held a general engineering contractor’s license for over 40 years. In addition to SC&RA, he was active in the Crane Owners Association, the Beavers, and the Associated General Contractors of America.
His persistent will and spirit carried over to his personal life. Settlemier completed 68 marathons, winning the 1st Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon as a senior at age 46, and also competed in many other triathlons and endurance events. He was a lifetime member of the Society of California Pioneers, an avid golfer, skier, and woodworker.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marlene Bigge Settlemier, his daughter Laura Settlemier McIntyre (spouse Charles) of Thousand Oaks, Calif., his daughter Juliet Settlemier Ivey (spouse Henry Ivey) of Monte Sereno, Calif., his sons Brock Reid Settlemier, Jr (spouse Amy) and Weston James Settlemier (spouse Lisa), both of Piedmont, Calif. He is survived by nine grandchildren as well as his brother Grant Settlemier (spouse Joni) of San Francisco, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests 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
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