Page 7 - HIWT Winter 2013 World of Welding

hiwt@welding.org HOBART INSTITUTE OF WELDING TECHNOLOGY

WELDING PASSED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS

Some of you may recall the cover of the Fall 1998 issue (photo on right) of The
World of Welding featuring John Simmons and his young son, Lane. John is a
Hobart Institute graduate who went to work as a welder in the Nevada gold mines
shortly after returning home from Troy. John is a 3 generation mine worker,
rd
following the footsteps of his father, Jack Simmons, and grandfather, J.D. Miller.

In May of 2000, John (photo on right) began his own company, Black Rock
Machining Service (photo above) in Winnemucca, Nevada, providing welding and
machining support to the mines throughout Nevada. Most of the work that Black
Rock does involves the large shovels and loaders used in the pits.

“These are the principle digging machines,” explains Jack Simmons, “so repairs
are generally performed around the clock until the machine is back up and in the
muck.”

Lane Simmons (photo on left), has been
shadowing his dad and welding since he
was old enough to hold the tools. He tried
a number of jobs from underground miner
to haul truck driver but finally decided
that welding was the job for him. He
works at the Marigold Mine outside of
Battle Mountain, NV. His cousin, Jake
Herzig also works in the mines.

Lane loves motorcycles and also
participates in the annual Pony Express
Re-Ride. He is shown on the right with
his saddled horse.

“I have often said that he was born 150
years too late,” says his grandfather, Jack.
“Our family is proud of the years that we
have spent supporting one of America’s
basic industries.”

7