Berry, Donald S. (Donald Stilwell), 1911-2002

Donald Stilwell Berry was born on January 1, 1911 in Vale, South Dakota. After attending high school in South Dakota, Berry received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines in 1931. Berry next turned to pursuing a Master of Science degree in highway engineering from Iowa State College. While at Iowa State College, Berry worked as a part-time research assistant on techniques for measuring pavement skidding resistance. In 1933, he received the masters degree he sought at Iowa State College.

Upon receiving his degree from Iowa State College, Berry entered the University of Michigan to work on his doctorate. During his years at Michigan, Berry worked as a part-time research assistant for the Michigan State Highway Department. This work involved a study of highway soils. In 1936, Berry received a Ph.D. in civil engineering with a specialty in transportation.

From March, 1936 to May, 1943, Berry worked as traffic engineer for the National Safety Council. He continued to work for the National Safety Council as director of traffic and transportation from May, 1943 to September, 1948. During the Second World War, Berry worked as a consultant for the FBI and for the Office of Civilian Defense.

In September, 1948, Berry began his teaching career at the Institute of Transportation and Traffic Engineering at the University of California-Berkeley. From February, 1954 to January, 1956, Berry was a professor and chairman of the department. He then taught one year, 1956-57, at Purdue University.

In August, 1957, Berry came to Northwestern University as professor of civil engineering and remained until his retirement on August 31, 1979. He was chairman of the department from 1962 to 1969. During the summer sessions at Northwestern, Berry taught special assigned courses in Madrid (1961), Bangkok (1964), Manila (1964), South Africa (1960 and 1968), and Israel (1969-70). From 1976 to 1979, Berry served as a co-principal investigator for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Since his retirement in 1979, Berry has worked as a consultant for the FHWA.

A good deal of Berry's writing appeared in highway safety journals and manuals. From the 1930s through the 1960s, a fair amount of Berry's writing appeared in the journal, Public Safety . Also, several papers and speeches presented by Berry at conferences were published.

Berry has received numerous awards and honors. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering (1966), received the James Laurie Prize in Transportation (1972), the Theodore M. Matson Award (1972), Professional Achievement Award for Iowa State University (1977), and was elected an honorary member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. (1988).

Dr. Berry married and had two daughters.

From the guide to the Donald S. Berry (1911- ) Papers, 1935-1990, (Northwestern University Archives)