As many of you know, last October we lost Club Member Don Zeni (R-4846). Don was an avid collector of “girlie” chips and his fairly extensive collection of that genre will be offered here on TheChipBoard, on and at the upcoming Convention.

Just prior to Don’s passing he had occasion to have a formal Inventory and Appraisal conducted of the collection by a long-time Member (and Hall of Fame Member). This sale will include that entire inventory, as well as several hundred “fantasy” chips, more commonly referred to as “brothel” chips.

I will be assisting in the offering of the Zeni Collection, on this Message Board, as well as on and at the 20th Annual Convention this June at the SouthPoint Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV. The vast majority of Don’s collection focused on chips that had an image of a female form, and/or had a female name for the associated casino/cardroom. Of particular interest were the Palms and Hooters for live-action chips and commemorative (fantasy) issues of Nevada and Australian Brothels, both real and made-up.

Don’s collection consists of chips predominantly from Nevada, and then Colorado, Atlantic City, and Riverboats, as well as “Wet” and foreign chips/jetons. Applicable rules and ordering guidelines will be published once the offerings begin. This message is simply to advise about the pending sales.

While some of us knew Don Zeni as a collector of chips, his chip collecting interests only pertained to the last 10 or so years of his life. Prior to that, Don was a well known and highly respected 'mover and shaker' in the tunnel/drilling industry. Reprinted here is a tribute to Don, from a friend in the business, that appeared in the December 2011 issue of “TBM: Tunnel Business Magazine”, a trade journal for the tunnel/drilling industry.

Remembering Don Zeni
An Appreciation by Toby Wightman

Donald R. Zeni died Oct. 13, 2011, at his home in Las Vegas. He was 68. Zeni earned a bachelor of science degree from West Virginia University then served in the U.S. Navy Seabees mobile construction Battalion 7 for two tours in Vietnam. He was decorated with two bronze stars. In 1971, he founded Zeni Drilling with his father, Angelo. Prior to 1971, he worked for Zeni McKinney Williams Corp. and Dravo on shaft and tunnel projects, including a state-of-the-art, 17-ft, 4 in.-diameter mechanical drilling machine prototype. This was the forerunner of many developments in the mechanical sinking of vertical shafts.

Zeni Drilling pioneered a myriad of mechanical drilling equipment and processes under Zeni’s guidance. Zeni Drilling was a dynamic organization and grew into an international presence known around the world. He was never reticent about taking on large and risky projects that kept the company stretching its human and financial resources to the limit. As a result, the company gained a reputation for never walking away from a challenge and completing all work satisfactorily and with integrity regardless of the financial consequences. He committed all of his personal resources without reservation to the success of Zeni Drilling, carrying it through some very tough years, many times with little more than determination and mettle. As an astute businessman, Zeni worked hard to keep the company on track and always provided the best benefits that the company could afford. He was never hesitant to get his hands dirty, and, during the early years, he did physical labor during the day and administrative work at night.

Zeni was instrumental in advancing the technology of shaft drilling by helping to inspire and establish the Institute of Shaft Drilling Technology (ISDT). The institute promoted the technology of shaft drilling by bringing together all of the brightest lights from the government, universities, private industry and mining to share their knowledge with future generations and to provide scholarships to students entering the field. He was responsible for membership and increased the organization’s membership to more than 1,000. He also served for several years as president of the ISDT. The ISDT later merged with the American Underground Space Association and is now the Underground Construction Association (UCA) division of SME. Zeni was a member of the Executive Committee of the UCA when it merged with SME in 2007 and remained a member until September 2011, just before his death.

Zeni was known and respected around the world and made great friends everywhere, from Europe to the Ukraine, China, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Morocco, India and South America. Thanks in large part to Don Zeni, the name Zeni is almost synonymous with large diameter drilling knowledge and experience. He was instrumental in carrying the Zeni name throughout the mining world, not only by good business practices but by his friendship with respected and admired people in the industry. Zeni is counted prominently among the rare luminaries in the mechanical excavation world.

In his relationships with people, Zeni was nothing less than extraordinary. When he was in a room, a restaurant or a meeting venue, there was never any doubt that he was there. His voice was well known and impossible to miss. Everything he did was done in a big way. Even his e-mails were written in large print and boldface type. In a conversation or presiding over a meeting, one would never know what he would say next and at full volume. Political correctness was not a consideration. Many times he was asked to be master of ceremonies or preside over a meeting just because people loved to hear him talk.

Zeni loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally. Anyone who was privileged to have known Don Zeni will not soon forget him. Those of us fortunate enough to be a part of his family will always have a plus-size space in our lives filled with memories and laughter.

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Shown here is Don's Personal Chip, a few of which are still available for the price of postage.

Please note that the offering of Don’s chip collection is as provided for in Don’s Last Will and Testament. This action is overseen by the Nevada Probate Courts and carried out by the Zeni Estate Executor. All proceeds of any item sold will be placed into the Zeni Estate account for follow-on distribution as stipulated in Don’s Will for his heirs and as provided for by Nevada Probate Law.