Larry Dean Madrid, a geotechnical engineer and president of Madrid CPWG in Bartow, Florida, has died. The ASCE fellow was 60.
At a religious camp in a desert area of Mexico, he designed and funded the construction of a soccer field irrigated by reclaimed camp water. That field was the only large spot of green grass for miles around, and it was his pride.
Madrid, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE, founded his own multidisciplinary engineering, geological, and consulting firm, Madrid Engineering Group, in 1992. The team of scientists, engineers, technicians, and support personnel grew to serve throughout Florida for years until Madrid merged it with CPWG Engineering to form a one-stop technical firm for the purpose of high-quality consulting engineering, environmental, and support services.
He always displayed a keen analytical mind and loved to apply new technologies to difficult geotechnical problems. His most recent innovative (and award-winning) project was the first use of permeable low-density cellular concrete in Florida to mitigate settlement of a local roadway in need of constant repair. He was one of the top engineers in Florida for subsidence investigations and sinkhole remediation.
Madrid was also the principal of Greenovative Design & Engineering LLC, which worked on sustainability involving solar farms, lake and river restoration, reuse of waste materials, LEED certification of buildings, and other environmentally friendly projects. Another big focus for him was championing CONSOLID, a soil stabilization technology producing firm, flexible, hydrophobic roadway subgrade conditions.
He was honored in 2010 by the Academy of Geo-Professionals as a Diplomate of Geotechnical Engineering. He was also a life member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and belonged to many other professional organizations.
Madrid was active in his community as well, serving in many roles including Bartow Chamber of Commerce president and as a director of the Central Florida Development Council. He was a mentor to middle and high school students, college interns, and young engineering grads.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from Colorado State University. After graduating in 1984, he work for Bromwell & Carrier Inc., in Lakeland, Florida. His sons Andrew and Phillip are practicing engineers, and Phillip is a geotechnical engineer in California.
