Remembering the Original Septic System Answer Man, Roger Machmeier
Roger E. Machmeier, Ph.D., known to a generation of Pumper readers as the Septic System Answer Man, passed away July 6 at his home in Lindstrom, Minnesota. He was 96.
For 15 years, starting in 1991, Machmeier shared his expertise about design, construction and maintenance of septic systems with Pumper readers through a popular monthly column. As a longtime professor for the University of Minnesota and an Agricultural Extension engineer, Machmeier was influential in the development of standards for decentralized wastewater treatment. He chaired a 90-member committee appointed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to write state code for septic systems.
Machmeier is credited with developing the design of the Minnesota mound sewage treatment system for individual septic tanks. He led a program to update onsite systems on lakeshore properties in Minnesota and he educated thousands of pumpers and installers throughout his career. He authored more than 30 technical papers in the onsite area during his career.
Jim Anderson, Ph.D., who took over the Answer Man column in Pumper when Machmeier retired, remembered his colleague and mentor at the University of Minnesota as a “giant” of the onsite industry.
“Roger was the best engineer I have ever known,” Anderson said. “His knowledge and skill and approach to problem solving was without equal.” Anderson said Machmeier was an excellent teacher who listened and responded thoughtfully to questions asked by pumpers and installers.
“The thing that set him apart was his ability to use those engineering skills and apply them to problems or issues in the onsite industry to come up with very practical and implementable solutions,” Anderson said. “He was such a good communicator with the pumpers, installers and designers, and could teach them how to apply those solutions in their business.”
In the infancy of septic system use, Machmeier was a valuable advocate for the contractors who did this important work, Anderson said.
“There was no one I have seen who was a better promoter and supporter of the industry,” he said. “He backed pumpers and installers up when the EPA and state regulators looked down on their work, and he raised up all of the good the industry has done.”
Machmeier was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Joretta, and sons Todd and Philip. He is survived by his son, Bruce and daughter Ann Machmeier, grandchildren, and his second wife, Marlys Danielson. He was buried in his hometown of Mondovi, Wisconsin.
Vacuum Truck Rental announces new managers
Brian Lowry was promoted to regional operations manager of Richland, Mississippi-based Vacuum Truck Rentals. Lowry has been employed with the company since 2012. In his new role, he will be responsible for offices in the Southern U.S. Keith Veros was promoted to general manager of the company’s Livonia, Michigan location, and Alex Phelps joined Vacuum Truck Rentals as service manager at the Livonia location. Vacuum Truck Rentals also announced the promotion of Mike Suiter to vice president of strategic accounts. He has been employed with the company since 2017. And Robert Knotts joins Vacuum Truck Rentals as general manager of the Washington, West Virginia location. Additionally, the company promoted Ty Rose to regional operations manager. In this role, he will be responsible for offices in the Northern U.S. Sterling Machell joined Vacuum Truck Rentals as general manager of Vacuum Truck Rentals’ Oakland, New Jersey, North East, Maryland and Northborough, Massachusetts locations. Sterling brings 44 years’ experience in operations and sales.
