Dr John B. Scalzi, B.S., S.M., Sc.D
(1915 - 2006)
Dr John
B. Scalzi – known universally as Jack Scalzi – was born in
Dr
Scalzi graduated B.S. in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute
in 1938. He gained his S.M. and Sc.D degrees from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT),
Jack’s
professional career spanned an incredible 8 decades from the 1930s through to
his retirement from the NSF in 2001. During
his productive and influential career
his many professional roles included: field engineer for Metcalf and Eddy,
Consulting Engineers, Boston, MA; structural engineer for Curtiss-Wright
Corporation, Buffalo, NY, designing structures of airplanes (Flying
Tiger-P-40); Professor of Structural Engineering at Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, OH and simultaneously Professor of Structural
Engineering at the School of Architecture; Director of Marketing Technical
Services, United States Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA; Program
Director at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Research
Technology Division, Washington DC;
Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Washington
DC, then Arlington VA. In this role he provided international leadership for
the US Earthquake program and latterly for the Division of Civil and Mechanical
Systems (CMS). In CMS he focused on the development of new techniques such as
non-destructive evaluation and new high strength lightweight materials –
advanced composites. Jack was a visionary who identified the need to strengthen
not only the ageing bridges in the
While in the Earthquake
Engineering Section of NSF, he perceived the need for research on structural
masonry, and he initiated such work in the 1970’s. Moreover, he stimulated
research on masonry through masonry workshops and through the funding of
numerous masonry research projects, including providing significant financial
support for the U.S. Coordinated Program for Masonry Building Research. His
goal was to identify masonry research needs and then to accelerate the
development of new and innovative masonry materials, construction methods and
design techniques. In addition, because he recognized the deterioration of the
nation’s infrastructure in the late 1970’s, he encouraged the development of
evaluation and retrofit technologies. Likewise he also stimulated research in
nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of masonry in the 1980’s.
Recognizing his leadership in
innovative and creative masonry research, The Masonry Society (of
In an adjunct professor capacity, Dr Scalzi taught
structural analysis and design for
Dr Scalzi has published many papers on the design
of structures and results of research projects of steel and concrete. He has
co-authored four books: Design of Welded Connections; Analysis and design of
cable Supported Buildings; Design of Steel Structures (published in Spanish,
European edition and special Indian edition); and Analysis and design of
Cable-Supported Bridges (published in Japanese and a special English edition
published in
Dr Scalzi was active in the professional
activities of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as President of
the Cleveland, OH and Pittsburgh, PA sections; National Director from District
9; member of many committees and Chairman ASCE Specification for Cable Stayed
Bridges. He was also active in the National Society of Professional Engineers,
and Chairman of research committee of the American Iron and Steel Institute. Dr
Scalzi established and chartered the Scaffolding and Shoring Institute (a Trade
Association) in the State of
Over the years Jack Scalzi received many Awards
including: the inaugural “John B Scalzi Research Award” by The Masonry Society
(of
Without doubt, Jack Scalzi was an authoritative
and charismatic lecturer and public speaker, who commanded the interest and
attention of his audience. One of his best public lectures was a fast paced
illustrated powerpoint Conference Banquet Lecture to 200 international Bridge
Engineers from 40+ countries on the “History of Bridges” at the Structural
Faults & Repair-2003 Conference in the Riverside Room, Institution of
Engineering and Technology,
Jack Scalzi was a very strong family man who married
Jennie Elizabeth Celozzi of
Dr Jack Scalzi will be missed greatly by his many friends and colleagues
from across the
Professor Michael C Forde, PhD, FREng, FRSE
18th January 2007