DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / June 10, 2000

DONALDSONVILLE – CF Industries reported that employee Boyd Mahler died June 7 at10 a.m. as a result of injuries received in the May 24 explosion atits facility in Donaldsonville.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Boyd Mahler, who was a dedicated 20-year employee with CF Industries in Donaldsonville,” said Robert Liuzzi, president and chief executive officer.

“The tragic loss of Boyd is shared by all of us, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and his co-workers. We are veryappreciative of the contributions Boyd brought to the company over his many years of service,” he added.

Mahler, 38, is survived by his wife, Lola, and children Kandi, 11; Matthew, 8; and Cindi, 4. He was a native of Thibodaux and a resident of Vacherie.According to Louis Frey, operations manager, Boyd started with CF on Sept 4, 1979, as a chemical operator in the ammonia units. He held that jobthroughout his career.

“Boyd and I worked together for more than 20 years. We were co-workersand friends. This is devastating for all of us who knew Boyd and shared ourwork days with him,” said Frey.

Frey added that Boyd’s father, Albert Mahler Sr., also worked at the plantfrom 1967 until he retired in 1997. “We are truly like family here at CFwhich makes this all the more difficult to deal with,” said Frey.

Mahler was very active in St. James Parish society on both sides of theriver. He was Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church,Vacherie; a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 11857, Gramercy; a member of South Vacherie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department; First Responders and Rescue for CF Industries; and on the beautification committee of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church.

Memorial services were held Friday night and Saturday morning at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Vacherie, followed by interment at the church’s Mausoleum.

The explosion which eventually took Mahler’s life occurred in the plant’s Ammonia No. 3 unit. It injured a total of 10 contract and CF employees,including Mahler. An investigation has begun into the cause of the incident.

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