We are so very sorry to share the news of the sudden passing of our ASCE colleague, Tirza Austin.
Tirza was an absolute rockstar on our ASCE staff, there's really no other way to put it. She was valued for her creativity, immense talent, diverse skillset, generous nature, relentless work ethic, sense of humor, and 100 other wonderful characteristics that made her a joy to work with.
You probably knew her best as the leader of our ASCE Collaborate communities. Or maybe you worked with her on your Section or Branch email template. Or maybe you met her at an ASCE event and she helped connect you in person with other volunteer leaders. Or maybe she talked you into becoming a topic moderator and then that led you to join a new committee and connect with a whole new set of civil engineers you never would have met without her help.
Tirza did all of those things, pretty much every single day.
At ASCE we talk a lot about building your "ASCE Family." It's the idea that even as you participate in ASCE because of your professional background, you will find that over time the contacts you make are as much personal as they are professional; and those friendships you build become your ASCE family. It's a wonderful concept, but it doesn't just "happen." ASCE is a big organization and sometimes it's difficult to find your place.
Tirza was someone who built ASCE Family with every single person she met. She was uniquely gifted at meeting people, making them feel welcome, instinctively helping to plug them into just the right ASCE opportunity for them.
I'm sure many of you reading this can relate directly to that because Tirza helped you grow at ASCE and find that ASCE Family of your own.
She was a natural leader – and that rare leader who listens even better than she talks.
We are all saddened and shaken by this loss, as we know you are, but trust that we can lean on each other — our ASCE Family — to get through it together.
Our deepest condolences go out to her daughter, Pearl, and to her entire family during this difficult time.
Please share memories of Tirza or tributes here. After all, this was the community she helped build.