Courtesy of RPI
We are sad to announce the passing of our Chapter member and past president Howard Blitman PE, F.NSPE, at the age of 94.
Howard was a member of NYSSPE for nearly 60 years. He served as our Chapter President in 1974-75 and as President of NYSSPE in 1978-79. He then went on to become National President of NSPE in 2002-03.
Howard was one of the NYSSPE members who organized PIE, the Practicing Institute of Engineering, over 40 years ago. PIE was formed in anticipation of the State instituting continuing professional training requirements for engineering, which NY and many other states now have.
Howard was born in 1926. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He served in both World War II and the Korean War. After holding several post-war engineering positions, he joined the Blitman Construction Corporation, which had been founded by his father. He spent his career there, becoming President in 1970. He was licensed to practice engineering as a professional engineer in New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and South Carolina. He had broad interests and also held a Master of Arts degree in political science and government.
Howard was a good friend of our Chapter. He was a New York Chapter Board member continuously until 2017. He particularly enjoyed attending our December holiday meetings which, prior to recent years, were purely social dinners with many spouses in attendance.
Howard leaves his wife, Maureen Blitman, three children and eight grandchildren. Our Chapter sends its deepest condolences to Howard’s family, friends and colleagues. He will be missed by our organization and our profession.