John Griffith Hendrickson ’39

John, a civil engineer specializing in hydraulics, died of prostate cancer Mar. 6, 2003, in Hazel Crest, Ill. After graduation John taught civil engineering at Princeton, then served as a naval lieutenant and frogman in the Pacific, where he was awarded the Silver Star for leading an underwater assault during the capture of two islands.

Studying for a master's at the U. of Illinois, he met another grad student, Donna Jane Hayden. Married in 1948, they spent three years in Princeton, while John taught civil engineering. In 1951 they moved to Chicago, where he joined a concrete-pipe design company. In 1980 he was awarded the title of fellow in a specialized area of engineering, only the 12th individual to earn that designation in 50 years.

The People to People program sent him to China to share his expertise. In Apr. 2003, Chicago's mayor and city council honored John for his significant contributions reviewing and testifying at major court cases related to pipe failures.

To Donna, their children, Susan and Mark, and John's brother, Gavin, we offer our sincere sympathy.

The Class of 1939