Longwell, John S. (John Stalker), 1887-1960

John S. Longwell was an engineer with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and worked on several water reclamation projects in the west.

From the description of Papers, 1911-1924. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 28288449

Biography

John Stalker Longwell, F. ASCE Died March 25, 1960

John Stalker Longwell, the son of Oliver H. and Mary (Stalker) Longwell, was born in Shenandoah, Iowa, on December 13, 1887. He was graduated from Highland Park College (Des Moines) in 1908 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in engineering, and from Cornell University (Ithaca) in 1910 with a degree in civil engineering.

Upon his graduation, Mr. Longwell worked on several projects for the United States Reclamation Service, including the construction of the Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant, Wyoming, in 1922. In 1924 he joined the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Oakland, Calif., as Division Engineer on the East Bay Aqueduct. He became Assistant Chief Engineer and Assistant General Manager in 1929, and was Chief Engineer and General Manager of the District from 1934 until his retirement in 1949. From that time until his death, he maintained a consulting office in Oakland. In addition, he served as consultant for many water control organizations, including the San Francisco Bay Area Water Pollution Control Board (1949 to 1958).

Mr. Longwell was President of the San Francisco Section of the Society in 1952; a member of the AWWA, the East Bay Engineers' Club; and Sigma Xi.

On July 16, 1917, he was married to Martha Dorothea Ploeger in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is survived by his widow; two sons, John Ploeger and Robert Stalker; a daughter, Barbara Louise (Mrs. David Hurst Thomas); and seven grandchildren.

Mr. Longwell was elected a Junior of the Society on October 3, 1911; an Associate Member on May 12, 1919; a Member on October 14, 1929; and a Fellow on June 6, 1959. He became a Life Member in 1954.

Abstract of a memoir prepared by Robert C. Kennedy, F. ASCE.

From the guide to the John Stalker Longwell Papers, bulk 1910-1960, (Water Resources Collections and Archives)