Michael Croft

Michael Croft, 69, of Waynesboro, Va passed away on Monday, November 27, 2017 while on a business trip in Houston, TX. Born September 18, 1948 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, he was the son of Kathleen Croft and the late Leslie Roland Croft of York, England. Michael was a 1971 graduate of the University of Leeds, UK with a degree in Earth Science. He was a renowned petroleum geologist who possessed extensive experience in production, development, appraisal and exploration activities. Michael began his career in 1971 with Core Laboratories as a Mudlogging Engineer and Project Geologist. He joined Mobil Oil in 1977, and remained there until retiring in 2000. Mike contributed as a geoscientist in many of the most important development projects for Mobil Oil including Beryl, Sable Island, Hibernia, Camisea, Cerro Negro, Tengiz, and Natuna; defining the most effective processes to bring billions of barrels of oil and oil equivalent on-line. His contributions were quickly recognized by management and he was one of the original members of Mobil’s internal production and development consulting group. Michael was a superb mentor at every level; as a colleague, as a supervisor, and as a manager. He always worked to help others reach their full potential. He was a leader and friend in all he did. Michael knew that the best way to improve Mobil’s bottom line was to grow the capabilities of the geoscientists and engineers for the projects in which he was involved. He had a passion to build the skills of geoscientists and engineers. Michael not only mentored them to develop their technical skills, but also to help them to work together as a true team; to determine the best development and production processes for giant oil and gas fields. He always honored the contributions of others to the project. His legacy will live on through the many geoscientists and engineers he mentored! ​To fulfill a personal desire to contribute something different and fill a need in the community Michael left the petroleum industry and spent some years working as a Health Unit Coordinator in the Thoracic/Cardiovascular Unit at the University of Virginia Medical Center. In 2008, after a chance meeting with a former colleague, Michael accepted an offer to spend the summer working in the Global New Business Development for Hess Petroleum. During this assignment Michael realized he still had much passion and commitment for passing on his knowledge and experience of the petroleum business, particularly in development and production geoscience. At that time he resumed his career as a Petroleum Geoscience Consultant with Hess Petroleum. At the time of his passing he was employed by Independent Project Analysis, Inc. where he worked as a Senior Analyst. ​Survivors include his loving wife, Evelyn Marie DeGolyer Croft of Waynesboro, VA; his children, Heather DeGolyer-Patton, Eric and their children, Mia Evmarie and soon to be Eric Michael of Sterling, VA; Erica DeGolyer-Keene, Christopher and their children, Kayden and Meadow of Denver, CO; Madison DeGolyer and Catharine DeGolyer of Waynesboro; Dr. Philip Croft and Marguerite of East Lansing, MI, Elizabeth Croft Miller, Steven and their children, Lucas and Thomas of Orlean, VA and Dr. Catherine Croft Swanwick, Daniel and their children, Benjamin and Anna of Warrenton, VA; his first wife, Victoria Lidia Croft of Warrenton, VA; sisters, Betty Wagstaff, Ian and their children, Vicki, Jennie and Emily of Leeds, England, Pat Komar, Mick and their children, Sarah and Martin of Leeds, England and Janet Geldartand, Chris and their children, Richard and Helen of York, England. ​Following cremation, a celebration of Michael’s life will be held in the spring of 2018. ​Those desiring may make memorial contributions in Michael’s memory to Augusta Free Clinic or the American Heart Association. Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com