John Jepson
Life Member
d. 1997
John C. Jepson graduated from high school in San Bernardino, California, and received the BSCE from Washington State University in 1941.
John worked in the WSDOT bridge office until the start of World War II, and during the war designed Navy dry-dock facilities for Everett Pacific Shipbuilding. He worked at the PACCAR structural division 1946-53, where he began to develop a unique background in the design of structures with moving parts, such as pineapple harvesters for use in the Hawaiian Islands.
In 1953 John joined Don Styer to found Jepson and Styer. During his 14 years with Styer, John continued work on projects involving machinery and heavy construction, including arch bridges, conveyor systems, logging industry equipment, and the World's Fair Coliseum roof structure. John developed the concept, the structural design, and the drive mechanism for the famous Seattle Post-Intelligencer globe. In 1967 John joined EISI, Ltd., where he continued his work for another 29 years, specializing in equipment deign, industrial steel buildings, steel producing facilities, cranes, steel bridge erection systems, container crane relocations, and a vareity of industrial facilities such as tanks, silos, and stacks.
John's practical knowledge of welding, metallurgy, and steel construction techniques led to his becoming a recognized expert in steel construction fabrication and erection systems. He worked with many steel erection contractors.
John had the unique ability to calculate member sizes in his head while making a design drawing, then later preparing formal calculations and computer analysis. His philosophy: "Computers should not be used to dictate good design, only to refine it."
As a tribute to John and his career, Washington State University established the John C. Jepson Civil Engineering Scholarship.
Posted April 2012