The Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society
In Memorial: Biography Francois
Dion “Bud” Uzes (71) California
Licensed Land Surveyor No. 3175 Arizona
Registered Land Surveyor No. 10693 Nevada
Licensed Land Surveyor No. 6835 Oaklahoma Licensed Land Surveyor No. 1216 Oregon
Licensed Land Surveyor No. 2634 Born September
29, 1934, Died February 7, 2006 align=left hspace=12 v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"> Click for larger photo image A
Respected; Surveyor, Historian, Consultant, Cannoneer & Author.
It is with utmost sadness that we announce the passing of
our dear colleague, Land Surveyor and author Bud Uzes. He died unexpectedly
after a surgical procedure on February 7th, 2006.
Biography:
Mr. Uzes operated his own
consulting business called Boundaries Unlimited He has worked as a
consultant and expert witness in surveying and boundary disputes in over 100
cases, including twice testifying in proceedings before Special Masters of the
U.S. Supreme Court. One of the cases involved the California-Nevada interstate
boundary, which resulted from discrepancies he uncovered while doing research
for his 1st edition of Chaining the Land, A History of Surveying In California. Mr. Uzes served 6 years as
first president of the Surveyor’s Historical Society, was Life Member and
Fellow of both the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping and the National
Society of Professional Surveyors, and was Honorary Life Member of the
Sacramento and Gold Country Chapters of the California Land Surveyors Association.
In addition to authoring Chaining the Land, A History of Surveying In California., 1st and 2nd editions, he is also
the author of Illustrated Price Guide to Antique Surveying Instruments and
Books, and was contributing author to several editions of Boundary Control and
Legal Principles. One week prior to Bud's passing, he completed revisions to the second edition of Chaining the Land, A History of Surveying In California. which was published mid-March of 2006. The first sales of this edition was made at the California Land Surveyors Association's 40th Anniversary conference held at the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino in Reno, NV. A limited number of numbered copies (100) were sold. Bud also made numerous contributions to published journals and trade magazines. He was also interviewed many times over the years in the general press about the history of surveying in America and historical surveying instruments and artifacts. He was in great demand
throughout California and the nation as a speaker at professional surveying
conferences, seminars, and other gatherings. Topics of his presentations
included: water boundaries, cadastral surveys, historical surveys, antique
instruments, fraudulent surveys, interstate boundaries, expert testimony, title
and boundary research, and legal issues pertaining to land surveying. Bud was an avid collector
and exhibitor of historical surveying instruments, books, and tools. Surveyors
appreciated his exhibits as a rare opportunity to learn about their
predecessors. They were also popular among the general public, and have been
featured in the California State Museum, Placer County Courthouse, and many
other venues. His final exhibit is still
on display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. It is a
diorama that depicts a 19th century survey crew. Those who look carefully will
find his image in the attendant mural. His expertise in historical
surveys appeared to have no bounds; his research and field investigations made
significant contributions to our understanding of ancient Egyptian and Anasazi
Indian surveying technology. The term "Cannoneer" stems from Bud's interest in searching for a small army cannon buried high up in the mountains of eastern California. Lt. John C. Fremont left it there during his 1843-44 expedition for surveying and mapping the Oregon Trail. Bud had hoped some day to post a notice that this long-lost military artifact has been recovered. At the time of Bud's death it had not been found, however other still are looking for it. Bud's interest in searching for this cannon prompted him to take the name "Howitzer" for his Ebay ID. Bud was active in collecting and selling antique surveying equipment and used Ebay for a lot of his transactions. For all of his
achievements, he was a humble and gracious man who consistently placed service
to the profession above personal recognition. He provided counsel freely to
those around him, and through his writing, provided counsel to those he would
never meet. Bud Uzes was our mentor and our friend. His devotion and
contributions to surveying cannot be overestimated. He showed us, by example,
how to live a life of honor, integrity and service. We miss him greatly.
Memorial services
A scholarship fund has been established by the Northern Counties Chapter of the California Land Surveyors Association in Bud's name and is being administrated by the California Land Surveyor's Association Educational Foundation entitled: Enjoy a few photographs of BudMDSHS is a
California non-profit corporation organized under Home | MDSHS.org | Return to "In Memorial" |
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