Remembering Ed Bricken - Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Scientist

Submitted by Chuck Natsuhara, Resource Soil Scientist, Puyallup, Washington

Ed Brincken giving a presentation on the use of the soil survey information for the Quinault Indian Reservation.

After the last soil pit has been described, the final delineation made, and all of the databases and interpretations completed, the work of the soil survey is not finished. The value of a soil survey is in its use. Upon completion of the Quinault Indian Nation soil survey, Ed Brincken, project leader for the survey, followed up with meetings and training to provide tribal employees the knowledge to utilize the data presented to them. With this information, the Quinault Indian Nation has a better understanding of the soil resource they have and can use the survey to better manage their 200,000+ acre reservation.

Sadly, the Quinault Indian Nation soil survey was the last project Ed Brincken completed. On November 19, 2008, Ed lost his battle with prostrate cancer and passed away peacefully at home at the age of 55. Ed started his SCS/NRCS career in Circle, Montana in 1977, working on the McCone County soil survey. In 1980 he moved to Whitehall, Montana and worked on the Jefferson County and Silverbow County soil surveys. The year 1987 brought him to Washington where he completed the Franklin County soil survey and in 1997 he moved to Taholah and started the Quinault Indian Nation soil survey. During this time he also worked on numerous details and special projects.

Ed was quiet, hard working and always willing to learn and participate, whether it was trying out the latest GIS program or taking his turn at “karaoke”. Ed cared about the welfare of others. He and his wife were foster parents to many children. Ed is survived by his wife Jean, two daughters, a stepson, stepdaughter, four adopted children (he was in the process of adopting a fifth) and a grandson. Ed will be greatly missed by all.
 

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