Pierre Matthews

Life Member 1994

Born in Seattle in 1927, Pierre Matthews decided at age 9 to become an aeronautical engineer, based on his interest in model building and the rapid advances in aviation in the 1930s. He commenced his education at Seattle University, leaving his studies in 1947 for Army service including a year in the Signal Corps occupation forces in Japan just after World War II. In 1953 he worked in the shop of Siedel Huber fabrication, while also considering architecture as a career path, before commmitting to stuctural engineering and completing his studies, earning the BSCE in 1960.

Pierre spent 10 years working with Chauncey Morse at Isaacson Ironworks, and then went on to join KPFF Consulting. He became an expert in excavation shoring systems and underpinning. He worked on huge permanent and temporary shoring for the LA County USC Hospital project. Other projects include the Fred Hutchinson Center on Lake Union, and a review of the Downtown Bus Tunnel Plans for the City of Seattle.

Pierre joined SEAW in 1972, and has served on the exam committee. He also served on the board of Citizens to Protect Puget Sound.

Posted May 2012