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November 14, 2009

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Construction mogul Robert Helms dies

Thursday, May 11, 2000 | 4:15 a.m.

Helms, who died on Tuesday, took five dilapidated trucks and turned them into the multimillion dollar Robert L. Helms Construction and Development Co.

Helms was working as a Sierra Pacific lineman in 1951 when he bought the five trucks at auction, repaired them, then leased them to Sierra Pacific.

In two years, Helms made $20,000 and used it to buy construction equipment. Projects included old U.S. 40 and its successor, I-80.

By 1993, Helms' holdings were worth an estimated $200 million and included everything from the construction company to Double Diamond Ranch in south Reno.

But by the December of that year, the construction company was closed as part of a bankruptcy proceeding.

He is survived by his wife Pauline, two sons and four daughters.

Services are scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday at Walton Funeral Home with burial at Mountain View Cemetery.

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