The power generation industry is comprised of a relatively tight circle of people with very specialized talent and focus. On December 31, 2010, the industry, the Valley of the Sun in Arizona in particular, lost a legend in the industry with the passing of [Charles] Vern Taylor.
I would like to share some insight about Vern from the perspective of one of those upon whom Vern had a profound influence in his 39 years as a power generation field service technician. I think all of us who knew Vern, knew him as being quite outspoken, to say the least. On the other hand Vern was not at all outspoken about his accomplishments in his career, and the challenges he faced for all of his years in field service.
While Vern’s exposure to electronics and generators precedes my experience with him, the story I know begins in 1972 when Vern began his career as an on-site power generation service technician. I first met Vern 7 years later, in 1979. At that time Vern was already a veteran power generation technician, and I was a blank sheet of paper. Vern was 34 – I was 21 and just starting my first real job, not really knowing it would, guided a lot by Vern’s influence, become my career. I was the new kid who, as Vern might, and did, say, “Didn’t know dick.” He was right, of course, but please bear with me as I attempt to paint a picture of an bygone era, and the work I viewed with amazement, that guided me, and many others, to learn from this master technician.
Some of you will remember the time as if it were yesterday. Others will need to call on their imagination to understand the conditions. There were no two way radios, pagers, cell phones, computers, Internet, or GPS. The only method of communication was the pay phone. Today I think the only pay phones are in museums. These guys traveled the state in tool laden mobile service shops (we called them service trucks of course), working on machines that made electricity with the capacity to kill if miss handled. The title was field service technician. You were required to be married to your truck, on call, ready to go anywhere, at any time, and work any hours necessary to solve the problem.
It was June 4th 1980 when I got a good dose of the job, and Vern. I was assigned to help Vern that morning – starting time at 7a.m. He and I went to the 40th Street Pump House and I helped him wire a panel and engine – somewhat a typical day. It was late afternoon when the notice came in that the power was out at Second Mesa up on the Hopi reservation. Another generator they owned for this critical facility was in the shop for repairs, and close to completion. The job: load the unit as soon as it was completed and go install it. Vern and I loaded the unit that night and headed out. He was a different guy once out the gate. At the shop he was stoic and to himself. Out of the shop he was a jokester and storyteller.
I was already tired from the long day, but not Vern. He drove the entire way. He made jokes as eyeballs appeared in his headlights. They were Elk, lots of Elk, as we topped the rim. We arrived at 2 a.m. Thursday morning and immediately went to work. Vern troubleshot the unit that had been powering the facility that had failed. He repaired a shorted wire and replaced a relay socket. Watching the process, helping at every opportunity, was truly an inspiring experience. He fired up the unit, and the pressure was off…Power was back on! Their unit was yet to be off loaded and installed. Vern decided that we take a short break, grab some food, and then right back to work. I remember thinking, “will his battery ever wear down!” We finally hit a stopping point Thursday afternoon, and we went to Winslow for a room and much needed sleep.
This was the job. He never once complained. Communication was the pay phone, so you called home only when the opportunity presented it’s self. Yes the job was demanding for the technician, but also a sacrifice for the families at home. Each and every day was different, with destinations no one could predict. The families could only trust that you were safe, and would call when you could. To have help was the exception, not the rule. I can only imagine how many long days Vern spent away from home, working on dangerous equipment, driving home completely spent, and he did this for 39 years.
I worked with Vern for over thirty years, and there are countless other stories like this that could be related. Each tells a tale of a passionate man dedicated to a life of selfless service to an industry, and the people, he loved. Vern always had a way of turning what everyone else saw as a difficult situation, in to a lighter moment to ease the tension and convey to the people with the problem his competency, and give them the complete confidence their problem was in the right hands. One of our customers said about Vern, “he could just stand there, listen to the generator, and know exactly what was wrong.”
As the technology changed, Vern grew with it. Vern seamlessly transitioned in the era of programmable logic controllers and computers, and became a trainer and mentor for those wanting to learn. Those of us here who knew Vern the technician, know he WAS NOT quick to give up his knowledge to just anyone. But if he saw you as worthy, and capable, he was more than anxious to help you learn the right way – but you had to earn it.
Vern WAS NOT always politically correct. I’m sure many of you find that hard to believe. OK – Vern was almost never politically correct. He has, however, always been well respected in our industry, and his passing has brought many positive comments from people he touched.
There are many young people who, like me long ago, looked at Vern with amazement. He took many of them under his wing and taught them his skills. It is often said, it is not what you gained, but what you left behind that truly matters. Vern Taylor certainly leaves behind a legacy for others to follow. And to Vern, on behalf of the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of those you impacted on your journey here on earth, I say Thank you. The industry has lost true friend and magician.
In memory of this fine man, his accomplishments and his dedication to On-Site Power Generation training, we have named our training facility the “Vern Taylor Training Facility” in his honor. His name sake facility combines next generation technology with the expertise of highly qualified and experienced professionals to train customers and technicians to the highest standards – just as Vern demanded and built the program.
In loving memory of our friend,
Bob Piske
Power Generation Specialist
GEN-TECH