Obituaries

Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal, Apr 1999

In recent months, a number of ITE colleagues passed away. We recognize them here and thank them for their contributions to the Institute and to the profession. We also send condolences to their families.

On Feb. 22, 1999, William R. McGrath died at 76 years of age. Bill had a profound impact on the transportation profession for a half century. He did so through leadership, publications, research, speeches, stimulating discussions and service. There are those who join professional societies content to receive the products produced through the labors of others; and there are those who roll up their sleeves and, with zeal, dedicate themselves to doing the work of that society while addressing the issues that come before it. Bill's enthusiasm and warm smile endeared many to follow his lead to serve the profession. He had a true life-long commitment to learning and to helping people. Serving the public and providing for the safe and efficient mobility of the public were motivating forces throughout his distinguished career.

Bill received a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a certificate in traffic engineering from Yale University Bureau of Highway Traffic. His career included serving as Research Assistant at the Yale University Bureau of Highway Traffic, as an Associate Traffic Engineer for Wilbur Smith and Associates and as Director of the City of New Haven Department of Traffic and Parking. In 1963 he joined the staff of the Boston Redevelopment Authority as Transportation Coordinator, and in 1968 Mayor Kevin White expanded Bill's role to include appointment as the City of Boston Traffic Commissioner. Bill joined the firm of Raymond, Parish & Pine in 1970 as Vice President and Director of the firm's Transportation Planning Group. In the mid-1980s Bill joined the Lee County, Florida Transportation Department staff as Traffic Engineer and Transportation Planner and, most recently, served as the Regional Coordinator for the Community Traffic Safety Teams for the counties of Hendry, Glades, Charlotte, Collier and Lee in southwest Florida.

Bill's contributions to the success of the Institute began around the time he joined in 1952. During these formative years of his professional career, Bill was mentored by Ted Matson, who served as the Director of the Yale University Bureau of Highway Traffic where Bill worked as a Research Assistant for Ted on the textbook Traffic Engineering. Bill was most proud to have been selected to receive the 1996 Theodore M. Matson Memorial Award in recognition of his contribution to traffic engineering. In 1986 Bill was selected by the Institute's Board to be the 38th Honorary Member, the Institute's highest recognition of professional accomplishment.

Bill's commitment to the Institute and the profession was demonstrated each day through his calls for action and work on behalf of ITE. Bill was an ITE Director from District I from 1964 to 1965 and from 1968 to 1969. He was elected to the International ITE office of Secretary-Treasurer in 1970 and served as Vice President for the following two years before being elected President in 1972. Other ITE activities included serving as President of the New England Section from 1960 to 1961. He was active in the Technical Council as Chair of Department 3. He also served for several years on the ITE delegation to the National Joint Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The other technical and administrative committees that Bill served on are too numerous to list. The magnitude of Bill's career-long participation in and contribution to ITE is rivaled by few. In recognition of his distinguished service to the Institute he received the Burton W Marsh Distinguished Service Award in 1980.

Bill served as a special consultant on traffic organization to Madras, India, in 1962 and to Dublin, Ireland, in 1965. He also was Chair of the Urban Transportation Committee, U.S. Conference of Mayors and was active in the National League of Cities. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bill helped many young professionals establish their careers and kindle a love of our profession. He was our friend, mentor and counselor.

We will miss our friend, our mentor, his wisdom and his good sense of humor. We will continue to benefit from the results of his contributions to the Institute and the profession. We will cherish the fond memories of Bill, his wife Joyce and their 11 children. Bill and Joyce opened their home and hearts to 11 foster children as well.

The family has requested that contributions be given to the William R. McGrath Scholarship Fund, which was established by the Institute's Florida District.

Harmer E. Davis, PE. (ML), of Walnut Creek, Calif., USA, died on Dec. 24, 1998. Upon his graduation from the University of California, Berkeley, with B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering, he was hired as an Assistant Professor of civil engineering and remained on the faculty for 45 years. He served as Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering from 1955 until 1959 and later became Professor Emeritus.