SR2267 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2267 LRB099 23510 GRL 50984 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Melvin Thomas "Tom" Davisson, P.E., Ph.D. of Urbana, who passed away on September 9, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson was born on December 23, 1931 in Grafton, West Virginia; his parents were David Earl Davisson and Leona Caroline Davisson; he married Marlene Elaine Krumeich on May 14, 1955 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Akron and a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Illinois; he began his career at the University of Illinois as a research assistant in 1956 and moved through the academic ranks to a full professorship in 1971; and

WHEREAS, From 1981 to 2000, Melvin Davisson devoted his time to the engineering consulting practice he established in 1958; he was a geotechnical consulting engineer with a distinguished record as a researcher, designer, educator, and member of numerous professional societies; he served on and chaired many committees of various professional organizations with which he was associated; he also taught continuing education courses and was an arbitrator for engineering and construction disputes; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson published many professional papers and designed and improved specialized construction equipment; he is particularly noted for "The Davisson Limit", a widespread definition of pile failure load; he received many national and international awards for his work on pile driving, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Deep Foundations Institute; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, fishing, golfing, and teaching; he also had a private pilot license and flew his own plane; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Teresa Lynn Christensen; and his half-sister, Elizabeth Jean (Kenneth) Smith; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marlene "Mickey"; his son, James Preston "J.P." Davisson; his daughters, Diana Marie Davisson and Kathleen Elaine Davisson; his son-in-law, Rex Alan Christensen; his step-grandchildren, Andrea Gibbs Christensen and Stephanie Brook Purvis (John); and his step-great-grandchildren, Sophia and John; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Melvin Thomas "Tom" Davisson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Melvin Davisson as an expression of our sympathy.