Interviewer(s): T. McGuire. Galliano, LA

Affiliation: University of Arizona

After my interview with Butch Renois, Butch went over to visit with Martial Babin, an 80-year old Chevron retiree who lives on the east side of the bayou. Butch called me at the motel to say that Mr. Babin had agreed to talk to me. Mr. Babin was Butch Renois' former boss for part of their time with the Chevron operation out of Leeville. Martial's second wife passed away in 2001; at one point in the interview, he pointed to a huge mounted fish on the wall and talked about how she, not he, would always catch the big ones.

Martial Babin grew up in Lake Charles and did metalwork in Texas during World War II. He began working for Chevron in 1947 and worked eight years on drilling rigs. He later did engineering work and advanced to drilling foreman where he trained new engineers coming into the business. He retired from Chevron in 1980 at the age of 59 and built a fishing camp to enjoy with his wife.