Fred Rhodes

Life Member

September 12, 1901 - May 12, 1984

Born in Colony, Kansas, Fred Harold Rhodes, Jr., completed his college preparatory course at Humboldt High School (Kansas) before beginning studies at the University of Washington, where he received a BSCE in June and the BSME in December of 1926. He served in the US Army Reserve from 1926 until his retirement as Lt. Col in 1961, with 27 months World War II active duty in anti-aircraft training commands.

He worked briefly as a Structural Draftsman at the Wallace Bridge Co., then began teaching as an Instructor in General Engineering at the UW during the 1927-28 academic year. Following two years as a Structural Engineer with the Tacoma City Engineer, Bridge Department, he returned to the UW as Instructor in Civil Engineering in September 1930, where he taught Mechanics and Structures until his retirement in 1969.

He joined the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1926, and attained the grade of Fellow in 1959. With the Society of American Military Engineers, serving as a national Director 1952-55. As a Trustee of the American Automobile Association, he served on the AAA Board 1948-76. With a special interest in traffic safety, for many years he held the position of Director of the Fleet Supervisors Conference and oversaw the Drivers Education Course for high school teachers, under UW auspices. He cofounded the University of Washington Annual Motor Vehicle Maintenance Conference, serving as Director for 19 years.

Posted April 2012