VERNON “BUD” ISAACS ’64

PE Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Vernon “Bud” Isaacs life emphasized his “three Fs”: Family, Faith and Friends. His expertise was in oil and gas property management, culminating in his position as chairman of the RIM Companies after founding his own company to advise companies in the purchase and sale of oil and gas properties.  

Previously, he worked for Petrol-Lewis Corporation, Coquina Oil Corporation, Union Oil Company and CALCO in drilling and production engineering, planning and property valuation. 

Isaacs earned a Professional Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Mines in 1964, after playing varsity football and was a member of Kappa Sigma. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including combat operations in Vietnam. He was awarded Vietnamese combat ribbons, the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor a Purple Heart and the Wendell Fertig Award. 

He and his wife established the Isaacs Veteran Endowed Scholarship, which provides education expenses for veterans attending Mines when the GI Bill falls short. They also supported the Recreation Center and the Clear Creek Athletic Complex. He was a member of the Mines Board of Governors and a Mines distinguished Achievement Medal awardee. 

Isaacs died in 2022. 

Contributions to Mines & Awards

  • Director, Enduring Resources 
  • Society of Petroleum Engineers 
  • Board, Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States 
  • President, Denver Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers 

Industry Awards

  • Executive Board, Boy Scouts of America  
  • Board of Trustees, Denver Inner City Parish 
  • Development Board, Uplift 
  • Trustee for Alliance for Choice in Education  
  • Board, Winter Olympics Committee and Ski Club Vail