David Orser
October 06, 1934 - May 21, 2022
Obituary
I did what I could”, while hardly original, was often the thinking as David Bryce Orser generously gave back to so many causes in his beloved state of Montana. Considering himself one of the “the world's lucky people” he always wanted to share his enormous, good fortune with others.
Born:
His father, John Marion Orser, built a log cabin in Pryor, Montana and this became the birth site in 1934 when Effie Hoover Orser brought her last child into this world. Raised poor but never realizing it until much later in life, several rural themes were instilled over the years. “Make a hand” no matter what you do, said dad. “Get yourself an education and never stop learning,” said mother. And someone else said “boredom and disease may do you in but never hard work.” After mother died in 1941, Grandmother Orser became the anchor in his young life. In 1942 the family moved to a newly purchased ranch outside of Livingston, Montana.
In 1950 brother Ed offered lodging in Billings and the class of '52 at Senior High let him out the door with a sigh of relief. Later came a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Montana State University (MSU), an unused CPA certificate earned as a college junior, and a master's degree in International Relations from the London Campus of the University of Southern California. Somewhere in between was an Advanced Management certificate from Princeton University.
Honors followed him and included, in 1989, a Doctorate in business from MSU. In 1993 MSU named him one of the 100 Centennial Alums- out of some 66,000. Also, in 1993 Rocky Mountain College in Billings elected Ossie and David to their Alumni Hall of Fame. In 1997, Rocky Mountain college bestowed a “Doctor of Public Service” degree, after completing services as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Career
Mobil Oil, then Socony Vacuum hired young David and sent him to the oilfields of Wyoming for training. In 1960 the Billings office was closing, and Mobil sent the family to Tripoli, Libya-in North Africa. It was boom time in the desert and along with rather pleasant living conditions, and excellent school for the kids it all seemed too good to be true.
In 1966 a small company, named Occidental came to Libya, acquired two concessions and, utilizing the latest technology, soon found a couple of giant oil fields. Interesting to observers was the biggest fields were on acreage Mobil had returned to Libya under their 1955 concession agreements. In 1968, needing experienced staff Oxy was hiring. The story got told many times about refusing the first overture and then Oxy offered to double his current salary, provide a new car, and stock options, the great career with Mobil was history. It was a major change, to go from two employees for every job with lots of training to one employee for every two jobs and no training. Then in 1969, Colonel Gaddifi overthrew King Idris, and a new era began for both the oil company and the Libyan people. Many transfers were turned down over time with both oil companies until, in 1972, a posting to London, England as Executive Vice-president was an offer too good to refuse. Travel all over Europe was required and new responsibilities for Crude sales, Refining, Retail marketing, and Marine Transportation and planning kept the days very busy. In 1975, a promotion to President of Occidental oil International, should have been a breeze given the great experiences of being No.2 in an integrated oil company. However, big discoveries had been made in the North Sea, which were now added to the responsibilities and a major dispute with Libya blew up. It was over money and power and got pretty serious with employees in Libya being held hostage. Flying in there to negotiate was rather hairy at times. Thanks to some good Libyan friends the dispute got settled and operations returned to nearly normal. Choosing to resign in 1977, a small consulting firm was founded and operated out of London for the next ten years. Selling gas turbines for General Electric, buying oil from the Japanese and so on kept life interesting until returning to Billings in semi- retirement in 1987.
Family
Married to L. Eileen Hill, four children were born. Gary David, James Bryce, Julie Ann and Amy Lee (born on the Island of Malta) became international oilfield brats and Gary graduated from High School in Rome, Italy while the last 3 graduated in London. In 1984 Amy Lee's heart failed at the tender age of 22 and few days passed in the ensuing years without fond memories of the baby girl. The marriage ended in 1991, and she said he left, and he said she drove me away and, perhaps, both were right. In 1992 Ossie Abrams became the second wife and wonderful lifetime companion of one of the luckiest guys to come out of Pryor Montana.
Service
A Memorial and Celebration of life will be held on Saturday June 11, 11:30-4:00pm, at Prescott Hall on the campus of Rocky Mountain College. All are invited to bring pictures and memories to share, a BBQ lunch will be served.
Born:
His father, John Marion Orser, built a log cabin in Pryor, Montana and this became the birth site in 1934 when Effie Hoover Orser brought her last child into this world. Raised poor but never realizing it until much later in life, several rural themes were instilled over the years. “Make a hand” no matter what you do, said dad. “Get yourself an education and never stop learning,” said mother. And someone else said “boredom and disease may do you in but never hard work.” After mother died in 1941, Grandmother Orser became the anchor in his young life. In 1942 the family moved to a newly purchased ranch outside of Livingston, Montana.
In 1950 brother Ed offered lodging in Billings and the class of '52 at Senior High let him out the door with a sigh of relief. Later came a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Montana State University (MSU), an unused CPA certificate earned as a college junior, and a master's degree in International Relations from the London Campus of the University of Southern California. Somewhere in between was an Advanced Management certificate from Princeton University.
Honors followed him and included, in 1989, a Doctorate in business from MSU. In 1993 MSU named him one of the 100 Centennial Alums- out of some 66,000. Also, in 1993 Rocky Mountain College in Billings elected Ossie and David to their Alumni Hall of Fame. In 1997, Rocky Mountain college bestowed a “Doctor of Public Service” degree, after completing services as Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Career
Mobil Oil, then Socony Vacuum hired young David and sent him to the oilfields of Wyoming for training. In 1960 the Billings office was closing, and Mobil sent the family to Tripoli, Libya-in North Africa. It was boom time in the desert and along with rather pleasant living conditions, and excellent school for the kids it all seemed too good to be true.
In 1966 a small company, named Occidental came to Libya, acquired two concessions and, utilizing the latest technology, soon found a couple of giant oil fields. Interesting to observers was the biggest fields were on acreage Mobil had returned to Libya under their 1955 concession agreements. In 1968, needing experienced staff Oxy was hiring. The story got told many times about refusing the first overture and then Oxy offered to double his current salary, provide a new car, and stock options, the great career with Mobil was history. It was a major change, to go from two employees for every job with lots of training to one employee for every two jobs and no training. Then in 1969, Colonel Gaddifi overthrew King Idris, and a new era began for both the oil company and the Libyan people. Many transfers were turned down over time with both oil companies until, in 1972, a posting to London, England as Executive Vice-president was an offer too good to refuse. Travel all over Europe was required and new responsibilities for Crude sales, Refining, Retail marketing, and Marine Transportation and planning kept the days very busy. In 1975, a promotion to President of Occidental oil International, should have been a breeze given the great experiences of being No.2 in an integrated oil company. However, big discoveries had been made in the North Sea, which were now added to the responsibilities and a major dispute with Libya blew up. It was over money and power and got pretty serious with employees in Libya being held hostage. Flying in there to negotiate was rather hairy at times. Thanks to some good Libyan friends the dispute got settled and operations returned to nearly normal. Choosing to resign in 1977, a small consulting firm was founded and operated out of London for the next ten years. Selling gas turbines for General Electric, buying oil from the Japanese and so on kept life interesting until returning to Billings in semi- retirement in 1987.
Family
Married to L. Eileen Hill, four children were born. Gary David, James Bryce, Julie Ann and Amy Lee (born on the Island of Malta) became international oilfield brats and Gary graduated from High School in Rome, Italy while the last 3 graduated in London. In 1984 Amy Lee's heart failed at the tender age of 22 and few days passed in the ensuing years without fond memories of the baby girl. The marriage ended in 1991, and she said he left, and he said she drove me away and, perhaps, both were right. In 1992 Ossie Abrams became the second wife and wonderful lifetime companion of one of the luckiest guys to come out of Pryor Montana.
Service
A Memorial and Celebration of life will be held on Saturday June 11, 11:30-4:00pm, at Prescott Hall on the campus of Rocky Mountain College. All are invited to bring pictures and memories to share, a BBQ lunch will be served.
Events
There are no events for David yet.
Photos
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Memories
YO
Yvonne (Bonnie Orser) Davis & Dan & Donna Orser
Other •
Sent with love and remembrance, Bonnie Orser and Dan & Donna Orser, remembering David as a beloved family member. Happy Trails in your next life .
TS
Tribute Store
Other •
We send our warmest condolences to you at this time for your loss, and are grateful for the generosity and support of your family over the years.
VB
Vicki Burford
Other •
Ossie and family, We are so sad to hear about David's passing. What an awesome guy! The world has lost a treasure. Dr's Vicki and Duncan Burford
RU
Rick Chin & Sandy Underwood
Other •
Deepest sympathies to Ossie & family for our shared loss. David was more than a generous and caring friend - he was (bridge) family. - Rick & Sandy
EC
Erica Oulton (previously Coulam)
Other •
I met David when I went to work for Occidental Oil in May 1970. It was a great company to work for; there were people from all over the world, we worked hard but were paid well. David was a very engaging person, obviously very bright and happy to share a joke. I remember that he liked to wear green suits. I worked with David in the London office as well but left to get married. We exchanged Christmas cards for years and met from time to time when he and Ossie were in London. The price of a barrel of oil was about $3.10 in 1970 but as an independent Occidental came under huge pressure from the Libyan government and of course was nationalised. Lovely person, glad to have met him along life’s way.
TI
TOM ITIN
Other •
Ossie and family David was a long time associate and colleague of ours. We met while both working for Mobil Oil of Canada, Libyan Branch in Tripoli Libya in 1959 and stayed close friend every since. Saw David often in London! David had a very successful career. He was held in high regard by all who knew and worked him..May he R I P. Tom and Shirley Itin