Page 39 - NALS Traverse 50_2

Bart Dalton Final Point Vegas. He was hired as the Deputy City
Surveyor, but quickly moved up to City
Surveyor where he stayed for nearly 20
By: Gary M. Hancock, PLS – years. Here at the city he was well re-
spected, but not always liked. You see,
City of North Las Vegas, City Surveyor Bart was one that would not bend if he
was being asked to do something he
knew was not the proper way or stretched anything in an ethical
manner. Definitely a good role model if there ever was one.
Unfortunately, Bart’s career was cut short due to health concerns
for both himself and his wife Patty. He was forced to retire in late
2015. Retirement did not keep him from staying engaged with the
survey community. In between doctors’ appointments and hospital
stays he continued to mentor and provide guidance on survey is-
sues. Bart always found the time to touch base through personal
visits and calls. Bottom line, he was the big brother that kept tabs,
giving advice with clarity and friendship with heart.
I would imagine that many in the survey community never knew
that Bart was seriously ill, you just never saw Bart when he was
not his happy and energetic self. Sadly however, Bart did pass
away on February 8, 2017 due to complications stemming from
On March 21st 2023, Global Surveyors’ Day, members of the his battle with Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer.
Southern Chapter of the Nevada Association of Land Surveyor’s,
Bart’s family, and friends gathered together to memorialize Bart was a beloved member of the Land Surveying community, and
Bartlett C. Dalton with a Final Point. I am sure most reading this his contributions and legacy were celebrated with this Final Point
know what a Final Point is, but for those who do not. A Final Point memorial. His dedication and commitment to his family, profession,
is a four inch bronze memorial marker, commonly used to honor and community are an inspiration to us all. I hope that these words
a Land Surveyor who has passed. The National Society of Profes- express my respect and love for my dear friend Bartlett C. Dalton
sional Surveyors and Berntsen International created the Final and that you can see why he was truly a one in a million leader and
Point program and every marker purchased contributes to the friend. I’ve said before that Bart left behind some big shoes for me
NSPS and the Berntsen/NSPS Scholarship Fund. to fill and that some days those shoes feel a little floppy and slip-
pery on my feet. I don’t mind. The way I see it, our Hero’s always
Despite the wind and the ominous clouds above, thirty or so local leave behind the biggest shoes, it’s for us to grow into them.
surveyors, along with honored guests, gathered in front of the
City of North Las Vegas’ Memorial Wall near the steps to City Hall.
Trent Keenan, SNALS President, along with myself and Bart’s son
Josh spoke. We shared Bart’s professional background, but more
importantly our own precious memories and personal stories.
This event was a testament to the tight-knit community of Land
Surveyors and their dedication to honoring their own.
When Bart passed in 2017, I knew I wanted to honor him with a
‘Final Point’ to memorialize his contributions to the Land Surveying
profession. I am grateful too and want to bring specific recognition
to Frank Wittie, Trent Keenan, along with the Board Members of
the Southern Chapter of the Nevada Association of Land Surveyors
for taking my wish and bringing it to fruition. They asked me to
share some thoughts and memories of my dear friend Bart.
The truth is, I’m not sure if my words can do him proper justice,
but I will try. It is truly difficult, in that I cannot begin to express
how much Bart meant to me as a boss, mentor, and friend. I am
confident that my sentiments are shared among everyone who
knew Bart.
Bart was truly a good man. Not only was he a loving husband and
father, Bart gave all of himself in both his personal and profes-
sional life. He was proud of his family. Bart never tired of speaking
of his wife Patty or expressing how proud he was of his kids.
Professionally, Bart was very proud to be a Professional Land Sur-
veyor licensed in both the state of Utah and Nevada. Not only was
he an active member of the Nevada Association of Land Surveyors,
he held the office of president in the Southern Chapter. I know
of at least four licensed surveyors, including myself, whom Bart
mentored and assisted in their careers in this profession. For him,
there was always time to sit down and talk survey stuff. He was
never too busy.
Bart worked for years at a couple different survey firms in the
Las Vegas Valley before finding a home at the City of North Las

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