David Helpenstell

David Helpenstell, 78, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2014. He was born in Frankston, Texas to William J. Helpenstell and Savanna Owens Helpenstell. He graduated from Harleton High School after which he attended Kilgore College and continued on to Texas A & M University graduating in 1960 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. His career included early work as a Senior Engineering Assistant with the Texas Highway Department; five years with the Corpus Christi division of Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc. as a Project Engineer; two years with Suntide Refinery Company as Lead Mechanical Engineer; seven years as the Senior Civil Engineer for the Port of Corpus Christi; and more than 20 years as a Senior Civil/Structural/Mechanical Engineer with BHP Engineering & Construction LP. He was very active in the First United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. He was a hard worker, a believer in lifelong learning, an avid outdoors-man, and a loving family man. David was preceded in death by his father, William J. Helpenstell. He is survived by his mother, Savanna Owens Helpenstell; his wife, Sylvia Helpenstell; his children, Keith Helpenstell, Terri Helpenstell, Michael Dobson (Caroline), Mark Dobson (Misty); Stephanie Cronk (Caleb); and his grandchildren Alexa and Aiden Dobson. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the First United Methodist Church on Shoreline Drive. Interment will be on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at the Laneville Cemetery in Laneville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s name to the Wesley Community Centers of Nueces County or Heifer International.