Charles Clifford Calhoun Jr., a hydraulics engineer and founding member of ASCE’s Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute, has died. He was 79.

A Life Member, he was active in the Waterways Committee, studying and reporting on methods and problems of planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of waterways, and coordinating with the Ports and Harbors Committee. He was also involved with Continuing Education, teaching courses on leadership.

Calhoun, P.E., D.NE(Ret.), F.ASCE, was a lifelong resident of Mississippi. He attended Mississippi State University, where he earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering. He completed his graduate work at the U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station and Oklahoma State University, eventually earning a master’s degree in engineering. As a professional civil engineer, he worked 35 years in the Soils, Hydraulic, and Coastal Engineering Laboratories.

On retiring in 1998, Calhoun enjoyed a second career by way of his affiliation with ASCE. From then on, he presented many seminars focused on leadership development and ethics. 

Calhoun was an avid football fan, and faithfully supported the Mississippi State Bulldogs and New Orleans Saints. For more than 30 years he officiated middle and high school football games in Vicksburg and surrounding towns. He was also a loyal member of Hawkins United Methodist Church and was committed to the Storehouse Community Food Pantry.

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