It with a profoundly heavy heart that we must announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Earle Phipps, after a short but fierce battle with cancer. For anybody that knows SR&R, they knew Mr. Earle. He was one of the hardest working men in this industry, or any industry for that matter, and it is largely to his credit that SR&R has grown as much as we have through the years. He consistently performed at a level that was an inspiration for all of those around him to work harder, do better, and learn more. While he was known far and wide for his legendary work ethic over his distinguished 22-year career at SR&R, he was also known to be a devoted family man.  There was nothing he loved more than his daughters, Alexis and Stephanie, and his four grandchildren.  And though he was without a doubt one of the toughest men I ever met, he was also one of the most loving and affectionate whenever the topic of his daughters or grandchildren came up.

Earle was one of those passionate people for whom 110% was the bare minimum for every task, and he enforced this credo with a mix of razor-sharp wit and a healthy dose of tough love. He could be difficult, but this was only because he pushed everyone as hard as he pushed himself and that left no room for mediocrity. He was a man whose integrity, talent, and loyalty were an inspiration to us all. Earle was not a good man; he was a great man. While he may have passed on, his legend will live on forever through all the lessons he taught, the people whose lives he touched, and the wonderful family that he was so intensely proud of.