Donald Peter Bellum, 88, of Sedalia, Colorado passed away on March 9, 2020. He was born in River Falls, Wisconsin on June 18, 1932, the son of Peter Nygaard and Madge Lenore (Buck). He was married to Claire Matheson Foster Bellum on July 24, 1959 and had three children, Julie Ann, Donald Greig, and Curtis Lynn.
Don graduated from High School in Berkeley California and continued college at Berkeley University and received a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering at University of California, Berkeley in 1958. He then continued to receive a master’s degree from University of Utah in Engineering Administration in 1969 and a second master’s in Business Management at Stanford University.
Don worked and had a career in mining engineering for Utah International, Riverton, Wy., 1958, mining foreman, 1959, Chief mine engineer at Cedar City, Ut., 1960-1965, Project ,manager for Kennecott Copper Corporation, Salt Lake City, 1965-1969, Mine manager at Ruth, NV., 1969-1974. Vice President Operations for Tesoro Coal Co., Tucson and San Antonio, 1974-1978. Vice president, coal Amoco Minerals Corp., Chicago, 1978-1980, President of Cyprus Coal Co., Denver, 1980-1987. Executive vice president of Cyprus Minerals Co. since 1987. He then consulted for Berhe Dolbear and later sat on the Board until the age of 82 and was the company he retired from.
Member of Metropolitan Air Quality Council, Denver, 1987, University Kentucky Mining Engineering Foundation, Lexington, Kentucky, 1985-1987. Served with United States Army Reserve, 1950-1957. Member American Institute of mining (chairman eastern section 1973), National Coal Association (board directors since 1981), National Coal Council.
He had a passion for traveling, hunting, fishing, camping, designing homes, family and friends. He was survived by his wife, Claire Bellum, his children, Julie Ann Bellum, Donald Greig Bellum and Curtis Lynn Bellum; and his grandchildren Collin Bellum, Jessie Bellum, Rachel Bellum, Justin Bellum, Landon Bellum, Logan Bellum, Keaton Bellum, and Cameron Bellum.
Visitation will be on Thursday, March 19th, 2020 from 5:00-7:00 pm - public is welcome. A private service (due to concerns surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak) will be held for the family on Friday. Don will be buried at the Cedar Hills Cemetery after the service.
