Walter Wickstrom

1911–1999

Walter Wickstrom, Sr., was the epitome of the Michigan Tech engineer.

Wickstrom graduated from Michigan College of Mines and Technology with a degree in mining engineering in 1937. Upon graduation, he joined Inland Steel Company, ultimately serving as mine captain responsible for the operation of the iron ore mine.

In January of 1947, he joined Drummond Dolomite as an assistant superintendent. Later that year, he was employed by Tennessee Coal & Iron (TCI) Division of US Steel to be in charge of industrial engineering for the Ishkooda Mines in Jefferson County, Alabama.

By March of 1949, Wickstrom was promoted to captain of TCI's mechanical mining team to be responsible for the installation of mobile mining equipment and to train crews for the operation. Ultimately, he became mine captain, responsible for the operation of TCI's underground iron ore mines with a yearly production of one million tons.

In the 1950s, Wickstrom was awarded $5,000 for a suggestion he made, which was the largest award ever given to a TCI employee.

When US Steel closed the TCI mines in 1962, Wickstrom joined Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Fenix & Scisson, Inc. While there, he was the project manager on underground storage caverns near Middletown, Ohio; Greenwood, Nebraska; Tuscola, Illinois; Milner, Georgia; and Gibbstown, New Jersey.

During his career, Wickstrom was a registered professional engineer in Alabama and Georgia. He retired from Fenix & Scisson in 1976.