Carleton Scott Babb

Carleton Scott Babb, 79, of Casper, WY, passed away on June 9, 2024 surrounded by love and music.

The eldest of five, Carl was born to Carleton Wayne and Betty Mae Babb in Marquette, MI, after his father was deployed to the Philippines during WWII. Carl was active in Boy Scouts (receiving the Order of the Arrow), Explorer Scouts, and DeMolay. He played the coronet in band and later the soprano bugle in a drum and bugle corps. Carl attended three high schools, graduating from Grand Ledge High School in Michigan in 1962. He went on to earn a master’s degree in petroleum geology from Michigan State University in 1969 (Go green!) and was also an ROTC distinguished military graduate. He married the love of his life, Melinda, in 1967.

After college graduation, he served two years as a 1^st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps at Ft. McClellan, AL, and Ft. Douglas, UT, before receiving an honorable discharge. He then began his career in oil and gas exploration and development, working for Unocal for 23 years in Illinois, Texas, Wyoming, and Michigan. He made a career shift in 1993, earning a master’s degree in hydrogeology from Western Michigan University. He joyfully returned to Casper in 1993, employed by Hydro-Engineering and later Gene George & Associates. In 2001 Carl formed his own consulting company. 

Carl loved spending time with Melinda and their three daughters, sons-in-law, and seven granddaughters. Still, he found time to be very active in his community and beyond, including having served as a Junior Achievement Advisor, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Delegate, President and 1^st Vice President of the Wyoming Geological Association, member of the Natrona County Planning Commission, Tate Museum Advisory Board Member, adult education instructor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the First United Methodist Church, Charter Member of Natrona County High School’s Parents’ Advisory Committee, and an Adjunct Instructor of geology and hydrogeology at Casper College.

He had many hobbies and interests: cross country skiing, sailing, tennis, photography, hiking, camping, astronomy, and puttering. He loved to stay busy, frequently telling his exhausted family, “We’re burning daylight!”

Carl is survived by wife Melinda Babb; daughters Stacy Needles, Courtney Shosh, and Lindsey Babb Bailey and their families; two brothers; one sister; and many nieces and nephews. He was welcomed on the other side by his mother; father; one brother; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m. at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 East 4th Street, Casper, WY. Casual attire is welcomed. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests a donation made to the organization of your choice in his memory.