The industry and the profession recently lost one of its members who was one of its stalwarts.  He  had accomplished much in the seemly short time allotted to him in our midst. Harold was a native Kansan, born in Topeka in 1940, and although he spent some time in Ohio in his early childhood, the bulk of his early years was spent in Augusta, Kansas where the family moved when Harold was eight.   In addition to his parents James and Frances, the family included a brother, Bruce and a sister, Kathleen. 

     After graduating from Augusta High School in 1958, he pursued an education in geology, a field in which he had developed an interest as he hunted for arrowheads with his family.  His institution of choice was Wichita State University where he earned Batchelor of Arts and  Master of Science degrees.  While attending WSU, he worked part-time for Raymond Oil Company and was a graduate fellow.  One of his classmates at the university was Bill Romig   Bill recalls "that he, Harold and others were assigned to document and study Permian and Pennsylvanian outcrops in Eastern Kansas. Every weekend we would head east to study and name outcrops and after a long day, Harold would want to get together and compare notes.  He was a workaholic." 

     It was while working on his Master's degree that Harold met and married Robetta Jost at Trinity Methodist Church in Wichita on April 3, 1965.  Following completion of his Master's, Harold commenced his professional career with Mack Oil Company in Wichita. There was a time out for a tour of duty with the Army Corp of Engineers during the Viet Nam War.  He was stationed at Ft. Belvoir Virginia , teaching officer's courses in mapping and map interpretation, utilizing the "new techniques" of infrared topography computer basics.  During this period of service to his country, Harold obtained the rank of captain. 

     While in Virginia, Harold made a lifetime commitment to Jesus Christ, which he pursued with diligence the rest of his life.  Craig Caulk who first met Harold in 1983 touches on this commitment when he says "I soon found our most important bond was our faith in the Bible.  Many times over lunch Harold would share his Christian experiences and learning's.  He was a deep scriptural thinker." 

     After his army service, Harold accepted an assignment in Bogotá Columbia with Texaco.  While there Harold became fluent in Spanish and enjoyed the adventurous life of a field geologist..  He also supported various missionary endeavors and moderated the newly chartered English Baptist Chapel.  A daughter, Gretchen Leigh was born to Robetta and Harold in September 1972 while they were living in Bogotá. 

     Returning to the United States in 1973, Harold joined Robetta's parents in a firm, Dependable Developers, which was headquartered in Hutchison.  Harold continued as Vice-President of this company until his death. 

     In 1982 Harold returned to his profession, petroleum geology, and joined Texas Oil and Gas Company.  He left this company in 1989, when it was acquired by US Steel.  Harold then became an independent geologist with an office in the Landmark Square Building.  He found ways to combine his artistry with his love of geology through rock-painting  and silver-smithing.   During this period when Harold was doing well-site supervision and originating oil and gas prospects, he watched a number of wells for Bill Romig.  Bill's description of Harold is "a very thorough and descriptive well site geologist with very detailed and accurate sample descriptions.”  Craig Caulk has this to say "Harold never ever sat idle.  He was always working on something.  He was as down to earth a fellow as you will ever meet, honest and trustworthy and a fair man."  Ted Sandberg relates, "As a wellsite geologist, he was probably one of the top five in Kansas.  His geological strip logs were unequaled." 

     Harold was truly "a family man." He particularly enjoyed his grandchildren, Leighton Todd and Lama Grace.  Craig Caulk remembers, "he spoke of his wife Robetta and daughter Gretchen frequently.  I know them personally and I truly don't know how a husband and father could be more proud.  What a great credit to Harold." 

     His friend, Bill Romig has this to say "He was a good friend and will be missed along with his straw hat and suspenders."  Craig Caulk adds " Harold Trapp performed a job well done, I miss him a lot."  Ted Sandberg comments, "I remember Harold Trapp as a gentle, kind, soft spoken person.  He had many interests and was willing to spend an inordinate amount of  time on prospects in which he had an interest.  His sliced, polished agate geodes were truly works of art, and I will always treasure the three which I have." 

     Perhaps his wife says it best, "his finite life has ended and each of us were blessed by his brief presence with us."