Joseph P. Welsh, 2014 recipient of the ASCE Outstanding Projects and Leaders award for construction and a former vice president of Hayward Baker Inc., now a division of Keller, specializing in underground and foundation work, has died. He was 91.
Welsh, P.E., F.ASCE, a life member of the Society, led the Geo-Institute’s predecessor, the Geotechnical Engineering Division, serving on its executive committee from 1987 to 1993, with one year as chairman.
Born in Philadelphia, Welsh marched with other newsboys in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth inauguration parade and ran a Good Humor truck in college. He graduated from Villanova University in 1955 with a degree in civil engineering.
In 1970 he co-founded and as a consultant led a soils department for Raymond International, Inc. for eight years, managing more than 325 construction projects.
With Hayward Baker from 1978-99, among the 2,400 projects around the world Welsh worked on included the Washington Metro, the Baltimore subway, the Big Dig in Boston, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, and the Tarpela Dam in Pakistan. As an independent consultant he continued managing foundation construction projects for many years.
He wrote more than 60 technical articles, presented over 25 short courses and 160 lectures to engineers, construction firms, technical societies, and students, and co-authored one of the first books on synthetic fabrics.
Welsh’s other honors include the Villanova University Alumni Award for professional achievement and the Wallace Baker Award.
Despite all he achieved, Welsh most enjoyed time with family and close friends, traveling, and playing bridge and golf. Many remember his kind, upbeat personality, and strength of character.
