ASCE 1995 President Stafford Earl Thornton, whose 37-year career at West Virginia Institute of Technology’s civil engineering department and activities in ASCE rose in parallel to where he led both institutions, has died. He was 89.
Thornton, P.E., Pres.95.ASCE, began his career at the University of Virginia, where after receiving a degree in 1962, he taught and conducted research until 1964. He then took a teaching position at what is now WVU Tech, West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery, West Virginia. Starting as a professor, he became chair of the civil engineering department, was promoted to associate dean for the College of Engineering, served as acting dean, and then became director of the Technical Assistance Center until his retirement in 2001.
It was as he was progressing at WVU Tech that he also became active in ASCE. He was a life member who started as the student chapter’s faculty advisor at West Virginia Tech; he then became director, vice president, and ultimately the Society’s 126th president in October 1994, which he considered one of his proudest achievements. A big point of pride was the extent of travel he did as president-elect and president. Thornton made 267 plane flights and 30 car trips to travel to 33 states and 12 other countries representing ASCE. He remained active with the Society until after he retired.
In 2008, the West Virginia Outstanding Civil Engineering Senior Awards were permanently renamed the Stafford E. Thornton Awards in his honor. In 2013, the Nester Thornton Civil Engineering Faculty Endowment was created to support WVU Tech’s civil engineering department and to recognize two distinguished professors, Ernie Nester and Stafford Thornton, for the legacy of dedication and innovation each man left after his lifetime of service. Of his many awards, Thornton was proudest of being named a Distinguished West Virginian by the governor in 1995.
Born in a log cabin in the woods of Campbell County, Virginia, Thornton was raised in Roanoke by his aunt and uncle. He graduated from UVA in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, served two years in the Army, then earned his master’s degree. After family, teaching, and ASCE, Stafford’s passion was golf, and he took those passions all over the world, as far as Kenya. After retirement, he and his wife Jo moved to the Pinehurst area of North Carolina due to its access to many renowned golf courses.
