PNWA mourns longtime member Wally Hickerson

 

PNWA has lost a longtime member and friend with the passing of Wally Hickerson this past Sunday. Wally was one of PNWA's longest standing members and true supporters. Over the years, he and his wife Eunice have attended many of our events in the region, and anyone that was able to have a chance to talk with him is sure to remember his contagious energy and enthusiasm.

 

Wally was born July 30, 1934, in McMinnville, OR and graduated from a two-room grade school in Hopewell, Oregon in 1948. He and the other two boys in his eighth grade class all graduated from Oregon State College. Wally received a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering, Hydraulics from Oregon State College in 1959. He then served three years of active duty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' bridging battalion in Karlsruhe, Germany.

 

Wally's career in engineering spanned over four decades; including hydraulic research with the North Pacific Division of the Corps of Engineers, work in the pulp and paper industry, sales management of construction materials, and 35 years in engineering consulting. Wally opened an engineering company in the Tri-Cities in 1980 at a time when other companies were leaving town. He was a tireless advocate for economic development in the region.

 

Wally joined PNWA in 1977 and maintained a personal membership since that time, in addition to representing the companies for whom he worked. Wally was a great friend of PNWA, and will be truly missed. Services will be held on Saturday, February 23rd at 2:00 pm at Bethel Church in Richland, WA. The family has suggested Out West Pet Rescue of Prosser, WA in lieu of flowers.