Likins has more to say. He considers Biggers a “true gentleman,” and ranks him at the very top of the list of his many friends in the engineering profession. He adds that Biggers is “able technically and excels in his communication skills. More important, he is an impartial evaluator, a necessary quality in revising the codes and standards.” DFI Benefits Biggers believes that one of the major bene- fits of being on a DFI Technical Committee or Working Group is connecting with others, getting to know people on a deeper level. After a few years, he says, you can “learn a lot” from others, about new tech- nologies and other subjects. DFI, he adds, is a great place to help teach younger people, which he enjoys. Biggers is the chair of the 2017 DFI Annual Conference on Deep Foundations to be held in New Orleans from October 24-27. One reason he accepted this job was his admiration of the DFI staff. According to Biggers, work on the October event is on schedule or maybe even ahead of it. Boh Bros. is an exceptional place to work says Biggers, and others concur, while noting Biggers’ high level of capabilities. Harold Baur, a senior project manager, says Biggers is “one of the most dedicated, loyal and honest men I know,” citing Biggers’ patience and fairness. Baur says Biggers has a “knowledge base for our line of work that far surpasses anyone else’s.” Biggers works every weekend, says Baur, and is the “father figure” for the younger staff. He “provides advice and solutions for work and life.” Ron Brylski, a senior project manager, agrees, calling Biggers a pile driving icon, a man of “experience, skill and professional inte- grity,” who “loves sharing his knowledge and passion for the pile driving industry.” German Connection Biggers’ wife, Virgene, studied German literature at the graduate level at the University of Tubingen in Germany. There, she established friendships with German classmates who sent their children to New Orleans to live with the Biggers family. They have hosted 12 students 14 times, not through a formal exchange program but from the network of friends. Virgene Biggers was a court reporter and is the U.S. representative of the National Court Reporting Association to Intersteno, an international federation for office technology and shorthand. The Biggers travel often to the group’s con- ference sites in European cities, most recently to Zagreb, Croatia. The Biggers’ daughter, Eva, also has a unique career. She has a degree in hotel management from Niagara University and is now a sommelier in Napa Valley, Calif. Dale Biggers is a fortunate individual. He is admired by his peers, thoroughly enjoys his work, and is very good at it. 78 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAY/JUNE 2017
