Rockwell Chief Wins Top Engineer’s Award : 3 Southern California Projects Also Honored During Annual Observance of Engineers Week

Los Angeles’ observance of National Engineers Week, which coincides yearly with the birth date of George Washington, culminated with the awarding of honors and citations last week for engineering achievements and commemoration of two milestone events.

Nationally, engineers drew praise for their profession from President Bush, who stated that “America’s engineers have always played a vitally important role in developing America’s way of life and standards of living.

“From constructing bridges and highways to exploring the vast earth beneath us, American engineers are helping America to keep America moving and safe.”

The observance, initiated in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, also honors the first President as a surveyor and military and agricultural engineer.

Locally, a weeklong series of events culminated with a presentation of awards for outstanding engineering events from the past year, with participation by local societies under the co-sponsorship of Institute for the Advancement of Engineering and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Made Major Contributions

Donald R. Beall, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Rockwell International Corp., El Segundo, received the George Washington Award for “Engineer of the Year, Southern California.”

As a key executive of one of the nation’s largest technological organizations, Beall has made major contributions to the advancement of space flight, advanced aircraft design and the development of sophisticated systems.

A practicing engineer, Beall has applied his skills to a wide range of programs, including the space shuttle, B-1 bomber, Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile, Freedom (space) Station, and satellites. He also served as chairman of the Aerospace Industry Assn. during 1987.

Three projects were chosen by the institute to receive Engineering Project Achievement Awards:

Intermodal Container Transfer Facility, the world’s largest computerized container transfer yard for international cargo, was developed with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach under a joint powers authority and operated by Southern Pacific Transportation Co.

Saves on Oil

Kern County Cogeneration Project, near Bakersfield, the largest grass-roots co-generation plant in the United States, produces a net saving of 7,500 barrels per day of crude oil compared to the system it replaced, and produces enough electricity for half a million households. It is a joint venture of Southern California Edison’s Kern River Cogeneration Co. and Texaco Inc.; Fluor Daniel Inc. of Irvine has turnkey responsibility for the energy enhancement project.

Ultra High Bypass Demonstrator, a company-owned Douglas MD-80 aircraft, has been equipped with advanced-technology propulsion systems, a major breakthrough in aviation efficiency developed by McDonnell Douglas Corp., Long Beach.

Distinguished Engineering Achievement merit awards were presented to Robert S. Horii, city engineer of Los Angeles and to William B. Johnson, automation consultant for Rocketdyne division of Rockwell International, Canoga Park.

Resolutions also honored the following for community service achievements:

Mayor Jacki Bacharach of Rancho Palos Verdes; Albert L. Baietti, ICN Biomedicals Inc., Irvine; James F. Foxworthy, professor of civil engineering, Loyola-Marymount University; Dale B. Hartman, executive director, Institute for Manufacturing and Automation Research, Los Angeles; Jim C. Hoover, vice president, manufacturing technology, Northrop Corp., Hawthorne, the Frank E. Reeves International Interprofessional Memorial Award; John D. McDonnell of Douglas Aircraft Co., Long Beach; William M. Schoenfeld, architect and deputy executive director of the Los Angeles Department of Airports and Harold H. Wilson, TRW Electronic and Defense Division, Redondo Beach.

Also noted were the 75th anniversary of the Los Angeles section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the 75th anniversary of the first Los Angeles Aqueduct, a landmark engineering accomplishment.