In my case neither of my parents completed high school. Dad never went, mother had to quit sophomore year to provide for her brother and sister. Neither of my siblings went to college either. I actually have more years of formal education than both my parents put together. My parents knew little about "college" or "Engineering." I can recall walking out of the Registrar's office at UMR (now Missouri S&T) after talking about what I would be able transfer from my previous military college experience (a long story much about my hearing loss) to a BSCE degree. Dad had driven down with me to keep me company. Walking out of the office Dad questioned me, "Boy, what is a major?" "Boy, what is a prerequisite?"
My parents where likely the most "skilled" people I ever knew firsthand, true craftsmen. They were certainly the hardest working. Mother was a seamstress who made my sister's wedding dress. Dad was a lithographer (printer). Dad said his Apprenticeship was seven years. He would often work arithmetic on the side of the newspaper as he read. Big things with lots of long division, fractions, gallons and pints. He said he did it to keep his mind sharp so he could "mix" the inks and colors and get the right quantities, waste was bad. he would go by the hardware store to look at the paint swathes, said he was learning his "color wheel."
I never knew people who were as willing to learn and try and do new things as Mom and Dad. Everything from trying to keep the car running, to making the finest gourmet dinner to removing and pouring the concrete driveway. Dad always said, "Learn a skill, get an education, no one can take that away from you!" Both valued work and thought everyone had an obligation to contribute.
So I cannot say my parent's led me to Engineering. I can say they encouraged me to learn as much as I could and try and be useful. A little money support, when they really didn't have much and came from less, lots of encouragement , lots of respect for learning and the occasional kick in the tail. I hope I can give my boys half that.
Sorry for the long post, missing Dad this weekend.
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Michael Buechter P.E., D.WRE, M.ASCE
Program Manager
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
Webster Grvs MO
(314) 968-9723
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-15-2018 09:12
From: Nancy Albright
Subject: Who inspired you to pursue civil engineering?
My Father. He is a retired civil engineer and public servant. All three daughters followed in his civil engineering footsteps, with our own spin. With his support and encouragement I enjoyed a 25 year career as a public servant as well.
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Nancy Albright P.E., M.ASCE
Lexington KY
Original Message:
Sent: 06-14-2018 14:08
From: Tirza Austin
Subject: Who inspired you to pursue civil engineering?
We want to take the time to appreciate all our civil engineering dads this Father's Day weekend. Fathers often mold and build us throughout our lives. For some ASCE members their fathers were instrumental in exposing them to civil engineering.
We would like to use this space to honor role models in the profession. Who has inspired you throughout your career?
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Tirza Austin Aff.M.ASCE
Collaborate Coordinator
ASCE
Reston VA
(703)791-2794 EXT 1
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