SR2267LRB099 23510 GRL 50984 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Melvin Thomas "Tom" Davisson, P.E., Ph.D.
4of Urbana, who passed away on September 9, 2016; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson was born on December 23, 1931 in
6Grafton, West Virginia; his parents were David Earl Davisson
7and Leona Caroline Davisson; he married Marlene Elaine Krumeich
8on May 14, 1955 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cuyahoga
9Falls, Ohio; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson received his bachelor's degree in
11civil engineering from the University of Akron and a Master of
12Science and a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of
13Illinois; he began his career at the University of Illinois as
14a research assistant in 1956 and moved through the academic
15ranks to a full professorship in 1971; and
 
16    WHEREAS, From 1981 to 2000, Melvin Davisson devoted his
17time to the engineering consulting practice he established in
181958; he was a geotechnical consulting engineer with a
19distinguished record as a researcher, designer, educator, and
20member of numerous professional societies; he served on and
21chaired many committees of various professional organizations
22with which he was associated; he also taught continuing

 

 

SR2267- 2 -LRB099 23510 GRL 50984 r

1education courses and was an arbitrator for engineering and
2construction disputes; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson published many professional
4papers and designed and improved specialized construction
5equipment; he is particularly noted for "The Davisson Limit", a
6widespread definition of pile failure load; he received many
7national and international awards for his work on pile driving,
8including the Distinguished Service Award from the Deep
9Foundations Institute; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson enjoyed spending time with his
11family, reading, fishing, golfing, and teaching; he also had a
12private pilot license and flew his own plane; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson was preceded in death by his
14parents; his daughter, Teresa Lynn Christensen; and his
15half-sister, Elizabeth Jean (Kenneth) Smith; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Melvin Davisson is survived by his wife of 61
17years, Marlene "Mickey"; his son, James Preston "J.P."
18Davisson; his daughters, Diana Marie Davisson and Kathleen
19Elaine Davisson; his son-in-law, Rex Alan Christensen; his
20step-grandchildren, Andrea Gibbs Christensen and Stephanie
21Brook Purvis (John); and his step-great-grandchildren, Sophia
22and John; therefore, be it
 

 

 

SR2267- 3 -LRB099 23510 GRL 50984 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
3family and friends, mourn the passing of Melvin Thomas "Tom"
4Davisson; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Melvin Davisson as an expression of
7our sympathy.