Solving a quasi-urban legend about Russin’s quietest work
By Jordan Young
It would be fair to say that the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s facilities aren’t typically known as artistic hubs, but a few pieces stand out. One such piece is the metal sculpture on the wall in the lobby at WYDOT headquarters in Cheyenne.
The large sculpture depicts different engineers at work and a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper protecting a child, all connected via various aerial views of intersection designs.
But has anyone wondered where it came from?
Interchange wanted to find out more about this work, and the investigation created a bigger whirlwind of curiosity than we ever expected.
The urban legend
Asking around about the piece, it seemed to be a well-known fact that world-renowned artist Robert Russin completed the custom sculpture around the same time that the headquarters building was built in the late 1950s.
Russin was an esteemed artist and popular art professor at the
University of Wyoming until his passing in 2007. His name may ring a bell to readers who are familiar with the Abraham Lincoln Monument at the I-80 Summit rest area. The bronze bust, often considered one of the biggest of Lincoln ever made, was moved from its home on Sherman Hill along the old US Highway 30/ Lincoln Highway to the interstate rest area in 1968. In the spring and early summer of 1969, it was cleaned and “rededicated” in August 1969 when the rest area was completed and opened to travelers
Initially, Interchange couldn’t find any definitive documentation that it was Russin who made the lobby work. The bas-relief was certainly not unusual for his typical style. But in a review of old publications – including the old Highway Department’s publication, The Highwayman – the work wasn’t mentioned, even as employees moved into the “new” headquarters campus in1958. A photo of the new building on the cover of an early 1959 issue doesn’t appear to show the statue on the wall at all.
This bas-relief (pronounced “bah” relief) was created by world renowned artist, Robert Russin, sometime in the late 1950s. The artist’s name may feel familiar; he also created the Abraham Lincoln bust at the Summit rest area on Interstate 80.
Photo: WYDOT
February 2026 Volume 54, Issue 2
Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents.
Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to Carlie Dakins, Interchange editor 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.dakins@wyo.gov.
Staff
WYDOT Director
Darin J. Westby, P.E.
Public Affairs Manager
Doug McGee
Editor
Carlie Dakins
Contributors
Megan Arias Public Affairs
Carlie Dakins Public Affairs
Mark Horan Public Affairs
Jordan Young Public Affairs
Jaxon Penfield District 1
Jeff Goetz District 2
Stephanie Harsha District 3
Laura Dalles District 4
Cody Beers District 5
Aaron Brown WHP
Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/ wydot.pao or click on the link found on the employee’s internal website home page.
Russin continued from front cover
Tracking down the truth
Interchange reached out to the University of Wyoming to confirm Russin as the artist, but the piece was not included in their records of his work. UW Archivist and Historian John Waggener started researching the matter.
Waggener found a letter from Gov. Milward Simpson to Russin, dated Jan. 3, 1957, where the Governor notes he’d be delighted at the prospect of Russin “doing some bas-reliefs in the interior of the new Wyoming Highway Building.” He added he would “unhesitatingly recommend” the artist to the Commission and the Superintendent of the Highway Department, although he also jokes that since the artist was already being considered, the recommendation may have been moot.
“In any event, I’ll do my level best to see that you get an opportunity to do some of this work, because I don’t mind telling you, you are second to none in my book,” Simpson’s letter reads.
Investigating into Highway Commission minutes, the body did meet with Russin and the “new” headquarters building’s lead architect, Sam Hutchings, during its March 6, 1958, business meeting. According to the minutes, Russin expressed he was interested in being commissioned to do a bas-relief sculpture for the lobby of the new highway building.
“He presented pictures and information on work he has done for various buildings at the University and other locations,” the minutes read. “He estimated that a five-group bias-relief [sic] sculpture on one wall in the lobby would cost approximately $7,500.”
The Commission did not take any action at that meeting, but the following month revisited the idea. At the April 24, 1958, meeting, Russin and Hutchings once again met with the Commission. They presented two models for a proposed bas-relief sculpture for the lobby.
What is bas-relief?
Pronounced “bah-relief,” a bas-relief is a sculptural relief style in which the subject has a slight projection or detachment from the surrounding background surface, with no undercutting of outlines. Although the term originated from 1600s France, the style has been popular for thousands of years, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt and Greece. A common example? Coin designs, including American coins like pennies, dimes and quarters.
“The Commission agreed to purchase one of the proposals but were unable to choose between the two,” the minutes read. “It was decided that Mr. Russin will have full scale sketches placed on the wall in the lobby of the new building during the next Commission meeting so that the Commission can decide at that time which design shall be used.”
Unfortunately, no official name for the statue has been uncovered, nor have any indications of what the second option considered by the Commission may have looked like. It’s also unclear exactly when the statue was installed in the building, where it’s lived ever since.
Russin’s work for WYDOT didn’t receive a lot of fanfare, but it’s another example of the ways the agency’s history is still quietly around us in present day.
Interchange would like to thank the University of Wyoming, John Waggener, WYDOT Office Services and WYDOT Public Affairs retiree Bruce Burrows for their help with this piece.
Robert Russin (1914-2007)
Robert Russin was one of Wyoming’s most prolific artists, with his works peppered not just all over the state but all over the world.
Born in 1914, Russin spent much of his childhood and adolescence in New York and started to win art competitions early on in his career. He taught at Cooper Union, a private college in New York City, before moving west and starting his respected teaching career at the University of Wyoming in 1947.
Russin was an art professor at UW for almost four decades. He was recognized with the Distinguished Professor Award, George D. Humphrey Medal, and as the University Artist in Residence during his time there, among other accolades. Throughout his career, he continued to earn distinguishments in the art world, even internationally. One notable recognition was a Ford Foundation Fellowship to focus on art in Italy, where he returned frequently to work on projects.
His ashes were buried on Sherman Hill near his favorite work, the Lincoln monument.
(Author’s note, much of this information is sourced from an obituary published in the Casper Star Tribune in 2007.)
Russin continued on page 4
Robert Russin standing next to the base of the Ben Franklin statue on the UW campus, 1956.
Russin’s other works
Russin has art displayed all over the world, but many pieces call Wyoming home as well. Beyond the Lincoln Monument and the WYDOT Lobby statue, readers may have seen Russin’s work at locations such as:
• “Prometheus” at the Natrona County library
• “Energy Man” at the Casper Chamber of Commerce (another version is in Washington DC at the Department of Energy)
• “Fountainhead” at Casper City Hall
• “Wyoming Crystal” in the Herschler Building in Cheyenne
• “The Greeting and the Gift” on either end of the High Plains interchange (exit 4) near the Welcome Center south of Cheyenne on Interstate 25
• And at least five different pieces on the UW campus in Laramie
Robert Russin, circa 1960.
Image courtesy Robert
Russin Papers, Box, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
District Briefs
Headquarters Commission awards seven highway contracts in January
CHEYENNE — At its January regular business meeting, the Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded seven contracts valued at approximately $43.5 million for Wyoming Department of Transportation construction projects.
The Commission awarded a bid valued at approximately $13.5 million to Cheyenne-based Reiman Corp. for combined bridge replacements (four structures) and safety grading involving removing concrete bridges, installing cofferdams, excavation, installing steel piling and reinforcing steel, placing structural steel, structural concrete, road base, approach slabs, asphalt pavement and riprap, and installing bridge railing at various locations on Interstate 25, Wyoming Highway 320 and Wyoming Highway 94 in Converse and Platte Counties. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2027.
The Commission awarded a bid valued at approximately $7.1 million to Worland-based McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co. for a widening and overlay project involving excavation, reinforcing subgrade, placing road base and asphalt pavement, and installing stormwater control components on US Highway 287 beginning at mile marker 402.3 for approximately 2.5 miles between Laramie and Colorado in Albany County. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2026.
The Commission awarded a bid valued at approximately $7 million to Afton-based Avail Valley Construction LLC for a project involving milling asphalt pavement, placing asphalt pavement and chip seal, installing stormwater control components, and fence work on Wyoming Highway 59 beginning at mm 19.30 between Douglas and Bill in Converse County. The contract completion date is June 30, 2027.
The Commission awarded a bid valued at approximately $5.6 million to Gillette-based S & S Builders LLC for a bridge replacement project (two structures) involving removing concrete
bridges, excavation, installing steel piling, stormwater control components, precast wall components, and concrete slab bridge beams, placing structural concrete, approach slabs, road base, and asphalt pavement, and installing box beam guardrail on Interstate 90 beginning at mm 98.3 over a machinery pass in Campbell County. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2026.
The Commission awarded a bid valued at approximately $4.2 million to McGarvin-Moberly for a combined spot patching and chip seal project involving placing asphalt pavement and chip seal on US Highway 20/26 on approximately 46.8 miles at various locations between Waltman and Shoshoni in Fremont and Natrona Counties. The contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2026.
The Commission awarded a bid valued at approximately $3 million to Avail Valley for a pavement patching project involving milling and placing asphalt pavement on Wyoming Highway 22/ Teton Pass at various locations in Teton County. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2026.
The Commission awarded a bid valued at approximately $3 million to Reiman Corp. for combined bridge rehabilitation (four structures) and bridge deck and rail repair (one structure). This project involves installing sheet piles, repairing bridge deck, placing structural concrete, approach slabs, asphalt pavement, and bridge deck overlay, and installing expansion joint material and guardrail at various locations in Converse, Goshen, Johnson and Natrona Counties. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2026.
Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bid. All of this month’s projects are funded primarily by federal dollars.
Aeronautics Commission awards highway contract in January
CHEYENNE — At its January regular business meeting, the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission awarded a contract valued at approximately $563,038 for a Wyoming Department of Transportation construction project.
The Commission awarded the bid to Montana-based Z&Z Coating, Inc. for a crack sealing project involving repairing spalled concrete and sealing asphalt cracks, concrete cracks and concrete joints at various airports in Albany, Carbon, Goshen, Laramie and Platte Counties. The contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2026.
This project is funded primarily by state dollars. Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bid.
District 2
Driver fatigue believed to be behind fiery crash on I-25
CASPER — The Wyoming Highway Patrol is investigating an Interstate 25 crash that left one Casper man dead. On the evening of Jan. 5, at approximately 9:15 p.m., troopers were dispatched to a crash at the 156 mile marker of I-25, roughly 10 miles east of Glenrock. Troopers arrived to find a 2004 Cadillac Escalade had been northbound on I-25 when it exited the road and into the median, striking a retaining wall. The driver’s side of the vehicle scraped along the rail and then over it toward the river, rolling toward the passenger side. The vehicle then landed on its roof on the bank of the river before becoming engulfed in flames.
The driver, identified as Gavin Stanek, 55, of Casper, died at the scene. It is unknown if Stanek was wearing his seatbelt. Driver fatigue is being considered as a primary factor in this crash.
Speed, driver inattention lead to double fatality near casper
CASPER — The Wyoming Highway Patrol investigated a crash that left two people dead in late December. On Dec. 20, a 2018 Chevy Silverado was southbound while a 2011 Ford F-150 was northbound on Wyoming Highway 252 roughly 2 miles south of Casper. The Chevy crossed the center line at mile
Briefs continued on page
Briefs continued from page 5
marker 2.5 and the two vehicles collided in an offset, head-on collision.
The driver of the Silverado was identified as Martin Lloyd, 46, of Rock Springs. The driver of the F-150 was identified as Kurt Zajic, 72, of Casper. Both Lloyd and Zajic died on scene. Neither Zajic nor Lloyd were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Speed and driver inattention are considered primary factors in the cause of the crash.
District 3
Public input sought on Bondurant speeds
PINEDALE — The Wyoming Department of Transportation sought feedback from the public on speed limits on US Highway 189/191 through the Bondurant area north of Pinedale.
WYDOT received requests to review the current speed configuration on US 189/191 in the area located between the Bondurant Post Office and the start of the canyon (mile marker 138 to mile marker 147). WYDOT asked the public to provide feedback on traffic safety concerns in the area.
Drivers are able to provide feedback by filling out a limited-time survey online, found at: Bondurant Traffic Survey or click the QR code to go to the website. The survey will be available until Feb. 5.
District 4
WYDOT unveiled safety enhancements for Coffeen Avenue corridor
SHERIDAN — The Wyoming Department of Transportation invited the Sheridan community to a public meeting on Jan. 29 to review proposed safety and efficiency improvements for the Coffeen Avenue and Brundage Lane corridor.
Following a comprehensive 2023 traffic study, WYDOT identified several high-impact upgrades to be integrated into the mill, overlay, and Americans with Disability Act project scheduled for 2028. A primary recommendation includes the installation of raised medians extend-
ing from the Little Goose Creek bridge south past Starbucks, as well as along the Brundage Lane and Coffeen Avenue intersections.
These enhancements are designed to streamline traffic flow and improve safety for a diverse range of users, including safer navigation for daily commuters and neighborhood traffic, improved crossing points and buffered zones for pedestrians and cyclists, a more efficient transit for tourists and commercial vehicles passing through the city, and provide a welcoming, aesthetic appeal with landscaping and other visual enhancements.
Representatives from WYDOT and the city of Sheridan were available to present preliminary plans, display visual renderings of the proposed medians, and answer questions from the community.
The meeting was held Jan. 29 at the Sheridan College Atrium.
“Our goal is to ensure the 2028 project doesn’t just repair the road but fundamentally improves how the community moves through this corridor,” says WYDOT.
WYO 50/Skyline Drive, Force Road traffic signal damaged
GILLETTE — The Wyoming Department of Transportation was notified on Dec. 23, 2025, that a traffic signal on Wyoming Highway 50/Skyline and Force Roads in Gillette was damaged due to a crash.
Two commercial trucks collided at the intersection, resulting in one of the trucks side-swiping the signal at the 4J Road intersection. After assessing the damage to the signal structure, it was determined that there was significant damage to the structural integrity of the signal pole and it would need to be replaced.
WYDOT has adjusted the traffic control at that intersection, including reducing the posted speed limit from 45 mph to 30 mph in the northbound lane of WYO 50/Skyline Drive. The lowered speed limit is recommended due to the limited visibility of the temporary signal equipment.
WYDOT reminds all motorists to obey posted speed limits and traffic signal timing, especially when turning at an intersection and during inclement weather.
A traffic signal at WYO 50/Skyline Road and Force Road was struck and damaged by a commercial vehicle. The structural integrity of the signal pole was significantly damaged and will need to be replaced.
District 5
New Year’s holiday impaired driving enforcement operation
RIVERTON — A Fremont County multi-agency impaired driving enforcement operation between Dec. 31, 2025, and Jan. 4 resulted in 387 traffic stops, two impaired driving arrests and 76 speeding citations.
The Fremont County DUI Task Force prioritizes impaired driving, but officers, deputies and troopers issued 79 citations for other offenses and made eight other arrests.
The task force issued 209 warnings during the five-day operation and issued six seat belt citations.
No impaired driving fatalities were reported during the operation.
In 2025, the Fremont County DUI Task Force arrested 55 impaired drivers, wrote 744 speeding citations and made 2,617 traffic stops during eight enforcement operations.
The Fremont County DUI Task Force includes the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Dubois and Wind River police departments.
Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT
Total number of highway fatalities: As of January 1, 2026 0 One year ago 0 WHP
Riding for safety
WYDOT seeks new “Rider Coaches” to meet growing demand
By: Mark Horan
As the 2026 motorcycle season approaches, the Wyoming Department of Transportation is looking to bolster its ranks of certified “Rider Coaches” to help train the state’s motorcyclists and keep them safe.
WYDOT’s Motorcycle Safety Program provides essential training for both novice and experienced riders.
The Basic Rider Course is a comprehensive, multi-step process that allows students to earn their Class M (motorcycle) endorsement upon completion.
Students begin the process with a mandatory five-hour online course through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This is followed by approximately 16 hours of hands-on training over two days (typically Saturday and Sunday). By the end of the training, students will have received instruction on everything from basic clutch work and braking to advanced maneuvers like swerving and navigating obstacles.
Each training session is led by two certified Rider Coaches, who ensure students understand how to ride safely, maneuver obstacles, and use proper gear. Coaches are paid contract positions through the Wyoming Motorcycle Safety Association.
WYDOT currently draws from a pool of 15 male and female coaches from around the state.
“We could use five to seven more coaches to help us expand the program,” said WYDOT’s Motorcycle Safety Program Coordinator Tara Grube.
Due in part to Wyoming’s limited motorcycle season, the Motorcycle Safety Program is currently facing a surge in demand. In 2025, while 2,719 students signed up for classes, the program only had the capacity to accommodate 1,125 participants.
Rider Coaches are more than just instructors; they are mentors to students of all ages. Beyond technical skill, it’s necessary for the coaches to display patience, friendliness, and the ability to ease the tension of nervous students.
“These people just care,” Grube said of the current coaches, many of whom have been with the program for over a decade. “They want everybody
to be trained properly so they stay safe on the road.”
If you are an experienced rider with a passion for safety, WYDOT wants to hear from you. To qualify as a candidate, you must be 18 years of age or older and possess a clean driving record. Once certified, coaches must teach a minimum of two classes per year to maintain their status.
New Rider Coaches must go through a multi-phase training and certification process on the following dates:
• Preseason and prep, meet and greet with coaches: April 18-19
• Rider Coach training: April 25
• Rider Coach preparation course: May 30-31 and June 6-7
Interested employees or experienced riders in the community are encouraged to fill out an application on WYDOT’s public website on the Motorcycle Program subpage under Highway Safety.
Rob Rodriguez enjoying the open road. This was taken on a bike trip through northeastern Wyoming in the summer of 2024.
The road to mentorship: 18 years with the Wyoming Motorcycle Program
By Rob Rodriguez, Veteran Rider Coach / WYDOT Strategic Planning
For the last 18 years, I’ve had the immense privilege of serving as a Rider Coach with the Wyoming Motorcycle Program. That tenure isn’t just a number; it represents hundreds of hours spent on the range, helping new riders navigate the critical transition from aspiring enthusiast to confident motorcyclist. It is a commitment based on a shared dedication to safety.
What keeps me coming back season after season is the unique dual satisfaction of instilling core concepts. The coaching process is as much about mental strategy as it is about physical skills. For beginners, the initial challenge is often psychological – managing the machine, the traffic, and the inherent risks all at once. I enjoy being able to simplify those elements, offering foundational physical skills and, more importantly, teaching mental strategies for risk assessment and situational awareness that allow them to operate a motorcycle safely and efficiently.
The second, and equally valuable, aspect of this job is the bond it fosters with my colleagues. The shared intensity of the training environment creates a powerful rapport among the coaching staff – a connection that goes beyond professional courtesy, building lasting friendships that genuinely feel more like a brotherhood. So, why should anyone with a passion for riding consider stepping into the role of a Rider Coach? Becoming an MSF Rider Coach allows seasoned motorcyclists to transform their passion into a life-saving mission by mentoring the next generation of riders. By teaching basic risk management and defensive driving, you’re the first line of defense helping prevent injuries on the road. Beyond that, the role demands a constant mastery of your own craft; explaining complex maneuvers like counter-steering or maximum braking often sharpens your personal technical precision and elevates your situational awareness.
Beyond the vital safety impact, coaches enjoy the immense satisfaction of witnessing a student’s “lightbulb moment” – that instant when initial fear finally shifts into confidence and control. Ultimately, it is a deeply rewarding pursuit that offers a unique blend of professional development and the chance to join an elite circle of advocates dedicated to keeping fellow riders alive and well. It is a chance to truly pay the passion forward.
LOOK TWICE SAVE A LIFE WATCH FOR MOTORCYCLES
Wyoming DOT’s I-90 rehabilitation project targets safety and long-term stability
By Larry Bernstein, Rocky Mountain Construction
reprinted with permission
Ranchester, Wyoming, is a small town located approximately 10 miles from the Montana border. Running near the town is the longest interstate in the U.S., Interstate 90, which traverses more than 3,000 miles from Seattle, Washington, to Boston, Massachusetts.
Just northwest of Ranchester, the Wyoming Department of Transportation and general contractor Croell Inc. are in the middle of a project that touches 8 miles of I-90. The northern end of the project is at the state line of Wyoming and Montana.
Ready for renewal
This section of I-90 dates back to the mid-1980s. WYDOT recognized that the life span of this section of the road had expired and it was starting to show its age. The surface was due for a rehabilitation.
The average daily traffic on the highway in 2019 was slightly over 2,100, with trucks accounting for 50 percent of that traffic.
“For our area, that’s a good amount of traffic,” WYDOT Public Relations Specialist Laura Dalles said. “There’s a consistent flow of traffic, which includes locals who live in small communities near the state line and commute to Sheridan and people who are traveling to Billings, Montana, which is 1.5 hours away.”
In addition to the standard mill and overlay, the project includes repairing multiple slope structures, removing four bridges and replacing them with box culverts, repairing two bridges, and realigning 4 miles of eastbound I-90.
There have been regular slope failures along I-90 in the project area. A slope failure happens when the underlying soils, commonly clay, become overly saturated and lose their “sticky” factor. Most of these clays sit on a shale base, offering little to no resistance for the clay to adhere to. The soil becomes too heavy
and moves along the path of least resistance and falls away from the slope, encroaching into the shoulder of the highway and potentially into the lane of travel.
WYDOT has been watching one particular part of the project area for several years. This specific slide broached the shoulder and guardrail and required a temporary fix – soil nailing – that would hold until the project could address the issue permanently.
“The repair got us by until we could come through with the project,” said Jake Whisonant, WYDOT District 4 Resident Engineer.
Contractors use a crane to place 21 concrete frames together, constructing one of four box culverts that replaced bridges at two locations on the I-90 project.
Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT
Contractors remove waste material from one of five slide locations on I-90. Once the waste material is removed, benches are cut into the slope in preparation for scoria to be placed.
Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT
A completed box culvert that was built to replace an existing bridge that provided access to a machinery pass, used by local ranchers to move cattle under the highway.
Culvert upgrades and alternative soil
There are large ranches that span both sides of the interstate, so the ranchers need to be able to move their cattle around the area. They utilize machinery passes to move their cattle to pastures on either side of the road. The original passes were bridges that have now been replaced with box culverts. The bridges are 16 feet tall by 15.5 feet wide.
“It’s feasible to turn the bridges into box culverts,” Whisonant said. The culverts are less expensive to build, install, and maintain.
The team is lining several other culverts that drain out of the median.
“We go through the under drains and line the corrugated metal pipe culverts with high-density polyurethane liner inside the metal,” Whisonant said. “We push the lining through, so it extends to each end of the culvert. The process extends the life span of the culvert.”
The project includes significant slope stabilization work. Over the course of the project, the team expects to remove more than 180,000 cubic yards of failed soil. Much of the fill section dates back to the 1970s and 1980s, when I-90 was built.
The team is replacing the material with scoria. According to geology.com, scoria is a “dark-colored igneous rock with abundant round bubble-like cavities known as vesicles. ... One of the main uses of scoria is in the production of lightweight aggregate. The scoria is crushed to desired sizes and sold for a variety of uses.”
A prominent resource in the area, scoria was created from old coal fires that baked some of the surrounding clay.
“We find scoria is very good, abundantly available, permeable, lightweight, and it doesn’t stress unstable materials,” Whisonant said. “It’s an excellent alternative for super high clay, which is prone to instability, and we’ve used it to replace slides for several years.”
Working against the clock
In northeastern Wyoming, the construction season typically runs from late April/early May to mid/late October. Because of the short season, construction delays can be tough to overcome.
So far, the team has the project on schedule, despite challenging conditions. Croell started excavation in January 2025 and was ready to move forward in the spring.
“The contractor fought the weather [snow/rain] all spring,” Whisonant said. “It wasn’t unusually wet, but there were the usual spring storms to deal with.”
Another challenge is the logistics of hauling materials. To help solve the issue, the state secured a large portion of right of way in the area, and the contractor built a series of waste areas near the project.
WYDOT also negotiated with a local rancher to use their private property. The team is putting a significant portion of the material in the area.
The negotiations allowed the state to minimize the distance that hauled materials travel, saving time and money. As part of the agreement, the contractor will reclaim the waste areas to a similar topography as the surrounding areas, place topsoil, and re-vegetate the area into a productive cattle pasture.
Thinking ahead
Croell and the team began working on the project at the end of 2024. They completed some prep work to ensure they were ready to go when the weather warmed up, allowing the team to stay ahead. Phase one of the project was completed in 2025.
The bulk of the work in phase two involves realigning 4 miles of the highway. The team will move the eastbound lanes closer, 40 to 50 feet into the median. This is being done to remove excessive weight from unstable embankment fills and to greatly increase the interstate’s safety against potential future slope failures.
The work requires dealing with the subgrade and base. Whisonant said he is concerned about the weather and how it could impact the schedule and work.
“They were able to overshoot the schedule for phase one and bite off some work scheduled for phase two,” Whisonant said. “The extra work should help pretty dramatically and puts us in good shape to finish the project on time or even early.”
Croell, which is headquartered in Sundance, Wyoming, has worked with WYDOT previously. Whisonant praised the contractor.
“They’ve done a really good job in their scheduling,” he said. He points to the weather challenges in phase one as an example of this.
“The contractor fought to not impact critical paths and shifted to other work when there was inclement weather,” Whisonant added. “There were no down days, so they were able to mitigate productivity issues.”
Croell has also taken a proactive approach when issues arise.
“When they see issues on the horizon, they work with us and make it a true team effort,” Whisonant said. “We discuss how we’re going to approach the issue and set priorities.”
The project has a $34 million construction budget. The federal and state governments are splitting the cost, with the former covering 80 percent and the latter paying the remainder. The project is currently on budget. Whisonant credits this to the contractor’s attention to detail and their collaborative effort with WYDOT.
When the team completes the project at the end of 2026, drivers on this I-90 section in northeast Wyoming will enjoy a smoother ride and the four-lane highway will benefit from increased protection against landslides.
Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT
WYDOT, WHP public information offices win at Wyoming Press Association annual awards
By Jordan Young
The Wyoming Press Association recently recognized Wyoming Department of Transportation Public Affairs staff for communications achievements in 2025.
Every year the WPA hosts a skills contest for its member journalists and public relations professionals to show off their best work. The winners of both contests are announced at the WPA’s annual winter convention, which takes place each January in Casper or Cheyenne.
At this year’s contest in Casper, WYDOT Public Affairs staff and Wyoming Highway Patrol Interim Public Information Officer Jason Roascio were awarded first place in the Information Campaigns category with an entry covering the agency’s communications and response after the fatal crash in the Interstate 80 Green River tunnels in February 2025.
WYDOT Public Affairs staff also received third place in the Publication category for the June 2025 issue of Interchange, which featured stories on the welcome sign auctions, a Trooper winning a lifesaving award, and Driver Services MAX heroes. You can find that issue online here, or by following the QR code.
The Associates’ contest, which is set up for non-media WPA member agencies like WYDOT, is judged by newspaper journalists and editors around the state. In turn, the Associate members judge the annual newspaper contest, called the Pacemaker awards.
To see all winners and learn more about the Wyoming Press Association: https://www.wyopress.org/
WYDOT Public Affairs staff and Wyoming Highway Patrol Interim Public Information Officer Jason Roascio recently won first place in the Information Campaigns category at the Wyoming Press Association’s annual skills contest for work after the fatal February 2025 crash in the Green River tunnel.
Introducing a new way to access WYDOT policy
By Management Services
The policy search tool is your new one-stop solution to lookup and access WYDOT policies! Employees can test it now with this link or follow the QR code to the spreadsheet.
New Features
Same intranet page, different look
On the intranet, go to the Policies and Manuals page and click on the icon under Policies and Procedures
Lookup to easily access the search tool.
Need an editable copy? Request one by emailing: dot-managementservices@wyo.gov.
Organization by subject area
Policies in the search tool are organized by subject area (financial, right-of-way, employee safety, etc.) regardless of policy type (DP, OP, PER) for a more intuitive experience.
Search and select
• Press “ctrl + F” on your keyboard to access the Find tool
• Type a keyword into the Find tool
• Use the up and down arrows in the Find Tool to look at search results
When you find the policy you’re looking for, simply click on the linked policy title to access the policy directly from the tool-no need to search on the intranet.
Original releases by Aaron Brown (edited for print by Jordan Young)
In late January, The Wyoming Highway Patrol and WYDOT alerted motorists that a slow moving “superload” was being transported from Evanston to Gillette.
The superload consisted of two large trucks carrying oversized construction equipment. The vehicles traveled together accompanied by a law enforcement escort.
The extremely oversized loads arrived at the Evanston Port of Entry on Interstate 80 the afternoon of January 23. They stayed the night there before beginning the first leg of the journey to Rawlins the morning of Saturday, January 24. The group then
made the second leg of the trip from Rawlins to Gillette on Sunday, January 25.
Due to the nature of travel, the size of the load, weather conditions and the various rates at which the group was moving, there was not an established timeline of where the large vehicles would be at a given time.
“We ask that those traveling plan accordingly to the best of their ability,” said a WHP release about the superload.
The loads were diverted around the I-80 Green River Tunnels via Wyoming Highway 372, Wyoming Highway 28 and US Highway 191 as part of the designated route.
After that detour, the superload continued east on I-80 to Rawlins, where it took US Highway 287 north to Casper. The group then moved further north on Interstate 25 until it reached Wyoming Highway 387, where the load continued west to Wyoming Highway 59 and went north to reach its destination near Gillette.
The transport dimensions were 15-feet-8-inches tall, 27-feet-6-inches wide, 110-feet long and the vehicle and load combined weighed about 216,000 pounds. Due to the size of the superload, both lanes of travel had to be used. To avoid causing damage to the highways, the transport traveled at 25-30 mph, dropping to 10 mph over bridges. Stoppages and travel delays were expected.
The superload’s dimensions were 15-feet-8-inches tall, 27-feet-6-inches wide, 110-feet long and the vehicle and load combined weigh about 216,000 pounds.
Photo: Stephanie Harsha/WYDOT
The superload that recently traveled across the state consisted of two large trucks carrying oversized construction equipment. The vehicles traveled together accompanied by a law enforcement escort.
Photo: Stephanie Harsha/WYDOT
TechTalk
Data Privacy Week 2026
By Enterprise Technology Services
ETS believes that all organizations have a fundamental responsibility to be conscientious stewards of personal information.
Data Privacy Week was held Jan. 26-30 and was part of an annual initiative dedicated to raising awareness about online privacy. It aims to remind people that their data sets are valuable and that they have the power to manage them.
ETS is committed to:
• Promoting responsible data handling practices: We adhere to strict privacy standards and advocate for the protection of personal information.
• Empowering individuals: We provide resources and information to help you understand your data rights and make informed decisions about your privacy.
• Fostering a culture of respect: We encourage organizations to prioritize data privacy and treat user data with the utmost care.
It’s a global effort meant to raise awareness about the importance of respecting privacy, safeguarding data, and enabling trust.
About data privacy
Your data is valuable. Even if you don’t agree, many organizations and groups would pay top dollar for it, and they don’t all have your best interests in mind. But you have the power to take charge of your data. The National Cybersecurity Alliance expanded Data Privacy Day into Data Privacy Week because your data is that important. Data Privacy Day began in the United States and Canada in January 2008. It is an extension of Data Protection Day in Europe, which commemorates the Jan. 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.
The goal of Data Privacy Week is to spread awareness about online privacy. ETS thinks data privacy should be a priority both for individuals and organizations. Our goal is twofold: we want to help citizens understand that they have the power to manage their data and we want to help organizations understand why it is important that they respect their users’ data.
Take control of your data
Your online activity creates a treasure trove of data. This data ranges from your interests and purchases to your online behaviors and it is collected by websites, apps, devices, services, and companies all around the globe. This data can even include information about your physical self, like health data – think about how an app on your phone might count how many steps you take.
You cannot control how each little piece of data about you and your family is collected. However, you still have a right to data privacy. You can help manage your data with a few repeatable behaviors. Your data is valuable and you deserve to have a say.
Here are some simple, easy tips you that will help you manage your data privacy:
Know the tradeoff between privacy and convenience
Nowadays, when you download a new app, open a new online account, or join a new social media platform, you will often be asked for access to your personal information before you can even use it! This data might include your geographic location, contacts, and photos.
For these businesses, this personal information about you is tremendously valuable – and you should think about whether the service you get in return is worth the data you must hand over, even if the service is free.
Make informed decisions about sharing your data with businesses or services:
• Is the service, app, or game worth the amount or type of personal data they want in return?
• Can you control your data privacy and still use the service?
• Is the data requested even relevant for the app or service (that is, “why does a Solitaire game need to know all my contacts”)?
• If you haven’t used an app, service, or account in several months, is it worth keeping around, knowing that it might be collecting and sharing your data?
Adjust privacy settings to your comfort level
For every app, account, or device, check the privacy and security settings. These should be easy to find in a Settings section and should take a few moments to change. Set them to your comfort level for personal information sharing; generally, we think it’s wise to lean on the side of sharing less data, not more.
You don’t have to do this for every account at once. Start small, and over time, you’ll make a habit of adjusting all your settings to your comfort. We have in-depth, free resources like our Manage Your Privacy Settings page that lets you check the settings of social media accounts, retail stores, apps and more. Protect your data
Data privacy and data security go hand-in-hand. Along with managing your data privacy settings, follow some simple cybersecurity tips to keep it safe.
Here are the Core 4:
• Create long (at least 12 characters), unique passwords for each account and device.
• Use a password manager to store each password – maintaining dozens of passwords securely is now easier than ever.
• Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever it is permitted – this keeps your data safe even if your password is compromised.
• Turn on automatic device, software, and browser updates, or make sure you install updates as soon as they are available.
Learn how to identify scam messages, which can be sent as emails, texts, or direct messages.
Wellness
New year, new wellness program
WYDOT transitions to new program through A&I
Email edited for print by Jordan Young
A new year is underway and with it there are new opportunities and goals ready to be reached! The new state of Wyoming Wellness Program rolled out Jan. 1, and WYDOT employees are encouraged to sign up now to ensure January workouts count toward rewards.
WYDOT employees have been working on healthy habits for a long time; the original wellness program, which used an interface created by WYDOT’s IT team, started in 2006.
The agency has officially transitioned to the new Employee’s Group Insurance Wellness platform, and the WYDOT program has been phased out and will no longer be used. In an email to staff, the Human Resources Division explained what changes WYDOT employees can expect in the transition.
“We will be working to determine your 2025 accruals. However, there is no guarantee that those efforts will be added to your personal leave accrual,” says the email from HRD. “We encourage everyone to sign up for the State of Wyoming Wellness program and begin tracking your wellness to work toward the leave accruals in 2026.”
EGI Wellness Platform will use an application/website called Motivation Alliance, which can pair with many fitness devices.
Sign that waiver!
The Hold Harmless notice on A&I’s website must be signed for any workouts to count! Follow the QR code or click the “Hold Harmless” link to get to the form.
The waiver on Motivation Alliance is different, and both must be signed for an employee to be eligible for the leave time reward.
WYDOT’s wellness program officially retires
After almost 20 years, WYDOT’s wellness program has officially been phased out. Interchange editor Carlie Dakins is no longer the Wellness Coordinator for WYDOT.
“We thank Carlie for all her support to WYDOT staff and managing the WYDOT wellness program,” WYDOT Human Resources said in an email to all WYDOT employees.
The wellness program’s new point of contact is now egiwellness@wyo.gov.
Exercise can also be tracked manually. You must sign the new platform’s annual participation Hold Harmless waiver (follow the QR code link in the green box below left) and email it to egiwellness@wyo.gov. You won’t be enrolled until it is signed and submitted, workouts will not be counted retroactively. So, sign up today and get started!
The monthly requirement to qualify for leave is to complete two activities each week, with the goal of at least 30 minutes of activity.
Leave will be accrued according to points earned within the app as follows:
• For 1 hour of leave – two consecutive months must be completed
• For 2 hours of leave – three consecutive months must be completed
• For 4 hours of leave – five out of six months must be completed
• For 8 hours of leave – 10 out of 12 months must be completed
Employees enrolled in health coverage through EGI (Cigna) are also eligible to win small prizes throughout the year by completing health assessments and other preventative care and logging it into the Motivation Alliance program.
With so many ways to engage, explore and learn, 2026 is a great year to improve your health and wellness!
Questions? Reach out to egiwellness@wyo.gov.
Whether you’ve been a part of WYDOT’s wellness program for years or you’re just getting your wellness journey started:
• Visit egiwowwellbeing.com and click “Sign up now!” in the member login box.
• Watch this short video (follow the QR code) to learn more about the Motivation Alliance platform.
• Explore your new platform and take the Health Risk Assessment to start earning points!
Photo: Adobe Stock
District News
Headquarters
New Hires
Gayathri Atluri, GIS/ITS; Leonardo Fernandez, Facilities ManagementCustodial; Susan Kokesh, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-80; Caius Krupp, Patrol-Support Services Manager; Nathan McLarty, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-80; Drew Morse, Equipment-Mechanics; and Scott Redman, Driver ServicesCheyenne.
Promotions and Transfers
Amber Fisher, Patrol-Dispatch; Angela Lebeda, Highway Safety-Data Analyst; Brandon Margetich, GIS/ITS; and Zion Rohde, Bridge-Engineering Design.
Service Awards
Mark Ayen, Operations DivisionAdministration – 35 years; Keri Bohlmann, Highway SafetyAdministration – 30 years; Patrick Collins, Patrol-Dispatch – 30 years;
Kevin Cox, GIS/ITS – 30 years; Cara Moore, Patrol-Records – 30 years;
David Motsick, Patrol-Support Services Operations – 25 years; Jason Potter, Highway DevelopmentProject Development – 25 years; Anthony Mackey, Highway Development-Project Design-Support –20 years;
Christopher Munoz, MaterialsSurfacing – 20 years; Nicholas Graf, GIS/ITS – 15 years; Mariah Johnson, Air Service – 15 years;
Meadow Ridley, Highway Development-Project Development – 15 years; and Job Lopez, Materials-Bituminous – 5 years.
Retirements
WYDOT as a transportation tech in Transportation Surveys and worked up through the Highway Safety office. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University.
Congratulations
Genesis Tyler, daughter of Office Services Program Manager Tim Tyler, was recently recognized for her academic excellence by earning a place on the Colorado State University’s dean’s list. She has earned above a 3.8 GPA holding more than 12 credits in classes. Way to go!
District 1
New Hires
Trent Christensen, Cheyenne Maintenance; Daniel Hefty, Laramie Maintenance; Aaron Hermann, Laramie Maintenance; Wesley Hovet, Laramie Maintenance; Robert MacKay, Cheyenne Construction; and Justin Thompson, Laramie Maintenance.
Service Awards
Stephanie Moellenberg, patrol dispatcher II with Wyoming Highway Patrol in Cheyenne, retired in December with more than 40 years of service. Thirty-nine of those years were with WHP dispatch, and she served a little more than a year with Driver Services. In a Facebook post, WHP thanked Moellenberg for her dedicated years of service “to helping to the people of Wyoming and saving lives.” In her spare time, Moellenberg volunteers with Black Dog Animal Rescue.
James Stout, records and data management manager with Highway Safety in Cheyenne, retired in December with 30 years of service. He started with
Denise Sheen, Driver ServicesLaramie – 25 years; Steven Kapus, Cheyenne TrafficStriping – 15 years; Warren Moeller, Cheyenne Maintenance – 15 years; Mark Janes, Saratoga Maintenance – 5 years; and Jonathan Williams, Arlington Maintenance – 5 years.
District 2
New Hires
Ethan Brost-Johnson, Casper Maintenance; Samuel Keck, Wheatland Mechanics; Matthew Klingsporn, Port of Entry-Torrington; Gary Porter, Casper Maintenance; David Schroder, Casper
Bohlmann
Potter Moore
Mackey
Johnson
Ayen
Motsick
Cox
Moellenberg
Munoz
Kapus
Moeller
Maintenance; John Steele, Chugwater Maintenance; and Harold Wolfe, Lusk Maintenance.
Service Awards
Ronald Reed, District 2-Facility Management – 10 years; and Samuel Szott, Patrol-Wheatland – 10 years.
District 3
New Hires
Justin Cornia, Port of Entry-Evanston; Carson Deleeuw, District 3-Guardrail; Kevin Larson, Port of Entry-Evanston; and Tara Pentz, Driver Services-Evanston. Promotions and Transfers
Kimberly Rock, Driver Services-Rock Springs.
Service Awards
Matthew Arnell, Patrol-Evanston – 25 years; and Tory Johnson, Afton Maintenance –5 years.
District 4
New Hires
Eric Dudzinski, Newcastle Maintenance; Nathan Duis, Moorcroft Maintenance; Tammie Lavoice, Port of Entry-Sheridan; Nathan Mathews, Gillette Maintenance; and Anthony Quinton, Sundance Maintenance.
Promotions and Transfers
Duane Fischer Jr., District 4 Maintenance Staff; Bradley Heins, Burgess Junction Maintenance; and Joseph Herinckx, Traffic-Electrical.
Service Awards
Michael Bush, Gillette Construction –40 years; Richard Burridge, Traffic-Signing –30 years; and Andrew Conrad, Sheridan Maintenance – 5 years.
District 5
New Hires
Joshua Porter, Cody Maintenance. Promotions and Transfers
Joseph Babcock, Shoshoni Maintenance; Michael Gross, Patrol-Lander; Kyle Heinrich, South Pass Maintenance; and Mark Wiener, Dubois Maintenance.
Service Awards
Scott Nolting, Riverton Construction – 40 years; Lew Fausett, Basin Traffic-Striping –25 years;
Keck Brost-Johnson
Steele
Reed Wolfe Szott
Arnell
Quinton Mathews
Duis
Fischer Jr. Heins
Herinckx Bush
Burridge Conrad
Babcock
Wiener Gross
Nolting Fausett
Clinton Huckfeldt, Thermopolis Maintenance – 25 years; Bryant Collins, Lander Construction – 20 years; Tamra Perkins, Lander Construction – 20 years; and Brett Tillery, Patrol-Cody/Worland –5 years.
WTDEA
District 5 scholarship raffle
The District 5 chapter of WTDEA hosted a gun raffle to support their scholarship fund. Many tickets were sold over the past few months, with the Mike Hitshew holding the winning ticket. Congratulations, Mike!
Employee Art Exhibition
Show
An art show by employees for employees. Enter framed original works or sculptures to be exhibited in the lobby at Headquarters. The show will be judged and works displayed throughout the summer.
Contact carlie.dakins@wyo.gov for more information.
Mike Hitshew was the winner of the District 5 WTDEA gun raffle.
Photo: WYDOT
Collins Huckfeldt
Tillery Perkins
Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jordan Young’s dog Elvis dozes off despite being the (self-appointed) fish cooler guardian.
Kelly Cover, Public Affairs Office support admin, has three dogs Chocobo, Riku and Mononoke (below), two cats, Cleopatra and Bastet (bottom), and two of her three ferrets, Sora and Kairi (right) and Dumpling (not shown).
only 6 months
Lacey, the chihuahua, taking Public Affairs Specialist Mark Horan’s daughter, Parker, on a walk.
Photo: Mark Horan
Noelle, a spunky 4-year old from the cat distribution system, has ruled over the home of Carlie Dakins in the Public Affairs Office since wandering into her life when
old.
Photo: Carlie Dakins
These two pitbull buddies, Bruno and Bruce, lounge about at the home of Public Affairs Videographer, Megan Arias.
Photo: Megan Arias
Photo: Jordan Young
Photo: Kelly Cover
Photo: Kelly Cover
Photo: Kelly Cover
Passings
Floyd J. Alcon
Floyd James Alcon, 67, passed away on Dec. 3, 2025, in his hometown of Cheyenne, Wyo. Born on June 12, 1958, he lived a life that radiated warmth and sincerity, leaving behind a legacy that will fondly linger in the hearts of all who knew him.
Alcon dedicated much of his professional life to serving as a core engineer with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, where he built a reputation for his hard work and steadfast commitment to his role. His peers knew him not just for his expertise, but for his infectious enthusiasm and kindness.
Outside his career, Alcon was a man of deep connection and passion. He devoted his time to his beloved wife, Donna Gibbons, with whom he shared a remarkable bond. He often reflected on his proudest accomplishment – their beautiful marriage. Together, they created a nurturing and loving home filled with laughter and joy.
Alcon was a true friend at heart, embracing life with open arms. He loved socializing, cherishing those moments spent with friends that enriched his life. His home was a sanctuary where he enjoyed watching movies and indulging in his hobby of crafting jewelry from exquisite minerals. This artistic outlet not only showcased his creativity but also allowed him to connect with others over the intricate beauty of his creations. He leaves behind a tapestry of memories woven with joy, kindness, and the spirit of friendship that resonated deeply within the Cheyenne community.
A celebration of life was held on Jan. 11, 2026.
Sheri K. Baston
We at WYDOT were deeply saddened and stunned at the sudden off-duty passing of Lead Officer Sheri Kay Baston of our Frannie Port of Entry on Jan. 18.
Baston had been the heart and soul of the Frannie port since joining in 2011. Her spirit and love for her
family, friends, horses, rodeo and barrel racing will be deeply missed. Throughout her life and career, Baston had a passion for public safety which was reflected in her dedicated work at the Frannie port. Her husband shared a final message, that she loved every one of the members of WHP.
Her husband also shared that she was an organ donor, and, even in her passing, she is changing – and saving – the lives of those awaiting transplants. This final act of selflessness is a powerful reflection of who she was and the values she lived by.
James K. Seaton
James Kelvin Seaton, age 66, passed away on Jan. 1, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Nov. 28, 1959.
Seaton married his wife, Carol, and together they shared 46 years of marriage, building a life rooted in love, commitment and family.
A proud U.S. Marine and patriot, he was, above all, a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend.
Seaton will be remembered for his quick wit, his deep love for the U.S. Marine Corps., and his passion for lively debate on just about any topic.
Seaton worked in the Public Affairs Office from 1994-2004 as a dark room operator, developing photos shot on film. Much of his job involved developing WHP crash photos.
John R. Sherman
John Robertson Sherman, 67, of Cheyenne, Wyo., passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2026, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sherman was born on June 2, 1958, in Cheyenne, where he spent most of his life deeply rooted in the community he loved. A proud graduate of East High School and the University of Wyoming, he began his professional career with the state of Wyoming. Sherman dedicated 30 years of service to WYDOT within the Right of Way program, eventually retiring as the Right of Way Admin-
istrator. After retiring from WYDOT, he went on to build a respected and successful commercial real estate appraisal business, Sherman Appraisals, through which he supported countless local projects and relationships over the years.
Notably, Sherman’s father, Bill Sherman, was the originator of the WYDOT Geology Program.
He was a devoted father and grandfather. He became a stepfather to Erin and Leah Aylward when he married Debra Ten Haken in 1986, and welcomed his daughter, Marjorie Sherman Dupuis, in 1988. Sherman took immense pride in being a dad – coaching Erin and Leah into standout athletes and, later, enthusiastically attending Marji’s vocal concerts and competitions. Music became one of their shared bonds; he famously fell asleep each night listening to a recording of Marji singing “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan.
The greatest joy of John’s life came with the birth of his grandson, Sébastien Jean-René Dupuis. Whether watching Sébastien play on his toddler-sized excavator, wrestling on the floor as a “big bear,” or – when illness limited his mobility – pulling out cherished toys from the 1960s to race Hot Wheels together, he treasured every moment of being “Papa.”
He will be remembered for his quiet strength, his unwavering devotion to family, his deep Wyoming roots, and the gentle, playful love he shared so freely with those closest to him.
A private celebration of life will be held in Florida, while a party celebrating Sherman was held on Jan. 24 in Cheyenne.
Cliff W. Tillotson
Clifford Wayne Tillotson, 75, of Cody, Wyo. passed away Dec. 22, 2025, at Spirit Mountain Hospice House with his loving family by his side.
Tillotson was born on May 25, 1950, in Barre, Vt. to Dwight and Lola (Dexter) Tillotson. The family moved to Blackstone Virginia Air Force Base shortly after he was born. In March of 1952, he was joined by
Sherman
Baston
Tillotson
a sister, Brenda. Shortly after Brenda was born the family moved to Plymouth, N.H. In August of 1959, the family welcomed his youngest sister, Doreen. Tillotson attended Plymouth Elementary School and continued his education in Plymouth, graduating from Plymouth High School in 1969. In April 1969, Tillotson’s son James was born, followed by his daughter, Hawli in December of 1972.
In 1979, Tillotson moved to Wheatland, Wyo., with his best friend, John. They both went to work for the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOTs predecessor agency. In 1988, he transferred to Cody. In 2012, he retired after 33 years of dedicated service to WYDOT in Cody Maintenance.
After he transfered to Cody, he met the love of his life, Shelia, and her three young children – Shane, Ryan and Jennifer. On July 7, 1990, the two were married.
After Shelia’s retirement in 2015, the two enjoyed traveling and exploring new places to go fishing and camping. He had a love of fishing and started at an early age. He would get out of school and head
to the river every chance he had. This passion carried with him throughout his life. He fished many bodies of water on both sides of the Mississippi River – New Hampshire, Florida, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Oregon and Canada. Tillotson never left home without a fishing pole in his truck.
Tillotson also enjoyed woodworking. You could often catch him down at the local lumber store on the weekends buying material to make furniture for the home. He was a man of many talents and could fix anything – duct tape or not. Tinkering around in his shop was a pastime that kept him active when it was too cold to hunt or fish. He took great pride in providing for his family by hunting throughout the years. After each hunting season, he and John would spend countless hours hiking the mountains and hills of Wyoming antler hunting – another passion of his.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Big Horn Basin Cancer Center.
A celebration of life was held on Jan. 10, 2026.
James C. Wise
James Corbet Wise, 100, passed away Jan. 7, at his home.
Born in Omaha, Neb. on April 25, 1925, he grew up in the oil fields around Midwest, Wyo. A proud World War II veteran, Wise worked for the Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOTs predecessor agency, retiring from Bridge as an operations engineer in 1986. He loved his guns, shooting, hunting, fishing, golfing, caring for his cars, the Wyoming Cowboys, and most of all telling his stories.
Wise’s granddaughter, Whitney Wise, currently works in WYDOT Materials. According to Whitney, her grandfather achieved the dream of being retired much longer than he worked.
Jim was truly “one of a kind” and will be greatly missed.
Per Wise’s request there was no funeral service. A celebration of life was held Jan. 31.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donaWise
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