in
Ferndale, MI, a suburb of Detroit, and grew up in Pittsfield, MA. After
graduation from Pittsfield High School in 1948, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army.
Bill’s assignment was coincidentally at West Point as a member of the
Hellcats—famous and accomplished musicians whose main duty was (and still is) to
“wake up” the cadets each morning with a rousing military tune. During his
enlistment, he applied for an appointment to the Academy and received one in
1950 from Henry Cabot Lodge. Bill became a member of Cadet Company M-2 and
remained with this special group throughout his four years at the Academy. The
camaraderie among those men is legendary, and Bill was part of it. Bill’s cadet
academic achievements displayed strength across the board. In addition to his
musical ability, demonstrated by writing and producing a 100th Night Show with
Frank Sweeney, Bill managed to meet the high standards of scholarship demanded
of every West Point cadet. He achieved success not
only in mathematics and the sciences, but in all his humanities courses as well.
He accomplished that goal with apparent ease. Military leadership came naturally
to him, and it was with great pride that Bill’s M-2 company mates witnessed his
rise to Cadet Captain and appointment to Battalion Commander.
Couple these achievements with his full participation in the Cadet Glee Club
and several other cadet clubs and view an amazingly gifted man. After graduation
in 1954, Bill’s initial assignment was with the famous 11th Airborne Division in
Germany, better known as “the Angels.” While still serving in Germany, he
transferred to the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tolz. He served on active
duty until 1962 and remained in the reserves until 1987, retiring as a colonel
and looking to further his education and enter the private sector.
In addition to his B.S. from the Academy, Bill’s
education included a Master of Arts in English from the University of
Pennsylvania in 1962, a master’s in architecture from Harvard University in
1970, and a doctorate in construction law from the University of Central England
in 2000. Bill’s professional registrations in architecture included the states
of Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia, as well as the District of
Columbia. One of Bill’s most rewarding projects was designing Saint Mark Coptic
Church in Fairfax, VA.
Bill changed his career to education in the early
1980’s. His rapid rise from Adjunct Faculty to Assistant Professor at Florida
International University was followed by an appointment to Southern Polytechnic
State University (SPSU) as Professor. He then became Dean of the School of
Architecture in 2001. His contributions as an educator received well-deserved
recognition from the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). He
served that group
through the years in several capacities: Strategic
Planning Group, Board of Trustees, Vice President and President. Bill had the
courage to create a framework for leadership and changed the dynamics of
educating future architects nationally and internationally. He initiated
sweeping changes in curricula and programs accredited by ACCE. Bill also sat on
the U.S. President’s Council for National Energy Conservation and was an advisor
to the Dean of Architecture at MIT, as well as a consultant to the Arthur D.
Little Corp. His awards include recognition from the American Society of
Landscape Architects, Commendation from the National Endowment for the Arts, and
membership in Sigma Lambda Chi (Construction Honorary Society).
Bill developed a reputation for an innovative
curriculum and for preparing students for the realities and potential outcomes
of professional life. Bill was 81 when he retired and enjoyed every new day as a
special gift. The university demonstrated their sadness in losing this
soldier/scholar from their ranks by flying the flag at half-staff for several
days to honor him. They wished to express their respect and appreciation for his
contribution to the world of academia.
Bill’s colleagues describe him as a quiet,
soft-spoken man who listened carefully, was organized, and worked modestly
behind the scenes. He was always a voice of reason. Yet the universal respect he
earned from his peers was evident in his election to President of the American
Council for Construction Education.
In June 2011 Bill was diagnosed with incurable
cancer and given a few months to live. He started chemotherapy and, with a
determined and positive attitude, survived for 15 months. He continued working
and retired in June 2012. Bill moved back to Pittsfield where he passed away in
September 2012.
Our tribute to Bill would be incomplete without
inclusion of his beloved wife, Marilyn. Their 30 joyful years together attest to
their mutual devotion. From the Plain at West Point to the halls of the
university in Georgia, the loss of this soldier/scholar is clearly felt. He
integrated his many gifts, lived them to the fullest, and shared his talents
with us all.
