John Elwood Priest, an ASCE life member who dedicated more than 60 years to improving vital water resources in every continent but Antarctica, has died. He was 95.
Priest, P.E., F.ASCE, served the people of developing nations by helping them build sustainable infrastructure, water resources, and agriculture, contributing his skills and experience to major global projects, even during times of political upheaval, revolutions, coups d’etat, and wars. He was most proud of his five years of work in war-torn Afghanistan from 2003 through 2008, known for good work for all sides during the conflict.
Priest worked his way through college “on the railroad,” earning his associate of science from Hannibal LaGrange College in 1950, and in 1952, his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, now Missouri S&T. In 1994, he earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Oklahoma.
He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1948 and was commissioned in Newport, Rhode Island, as a civil engineer corps officer. After serving on active duty for three years at Davisville, Rhode Island, Priest dedicated another 32 years as a reserve officer, retiring as a captain in 1988.
Born in Hannibal, Missouri, in 1930, he grew up with six siblings and helped deliver milk around town for the family business.
Priest’s lifetime contributions and humanitarian works earned him honors from his alma mater Missouri S&T as one of their Alumni of Influence, and induction into its Academy of Civil Engineers.
The friends Priest accumulated worldwide valued him not only for his expertise, leadership, and mentorship, but also for his outgoing, social, and caring nature, along with his many amazing stories and some incredibly corny jokes.
