We mourn the death of retired Bureau staff member Robert Sanchez, who died on Friday, July 17, 2009, at age 57. Beginning at the Austin Core Research Center in February of 1986, Robert was a licensed forklift operator, commercial vehicle driver, and field worker for many Bureau research projects. He was promoted to Warehouse Manager in 1998. Retired for medical reasons since January, Robert was an accomplished amateur photographer, fisherman, and gardener. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susie Sanchez, his sons Mark and Robert Jr., and five grandchildren, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. A memorial service was held in Bastrop on July 20. Director Scott Tinker said "Robert was a special part of the Bureau family, a key member of the core research center staff, and above all a gentleman. He will be missed by all of his Bureau friends." Donations in Robert's memory can be made to Hospice Austin.

At the Texas Section Summer Meeting of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, held July 18, 2009, in Burnet, Texas, Bob Loucks presented a talk titled "Ancient Geologic Controls on Rock Heterogeneity in Quarries in the Marble Falls/Burnet, Texas Area" to 60 participants. Bob then led them on a field trip to a quarry near Marble Falls to observe controls on rock heterogeneity as it affects quarry operations.