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IN MEMORIAM
JOE OVERTON LEDBETTER
Joe Overton Ledbetter, professor emeritus of
civil engineering, died on November 13, 2002. He was 76.
Professor Ledbetter was born on February 1, 1927, in New Hope, Alabama,
the son of Maxie Overton and Oscar Smith Ledbetter. He served in the Navy
in World War II, primarily stationed at Camp Dietrich, Maryland, doing
research in biological warfare. After the war, he earned his B.S. in civil
engineering in 1950 from the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, and worked
as a civil engineer for the Alabama Highway Department before joining the
Texas Highway Department in 1951. He also served as an officer in the United
States Public Health Service as a Senior Sanitary Engineer related to the
above ground nuclear testing program in Nevada, a professional relationship
that lasted into retirement.
In 1956, Joe entered graduate school at The University of Texas at Austin
and was appointed as an instructor of civil engineering. He earned his
M.S. in sanitary engineering and became an assistant professor in 1956,
completed his Ph.D. in civil engineering in 1963, became an associate professor
in 1965, and was promoted to professor in 1971. He was a registered professional
engineer in the state of Texas and a member of the numerous honor societies,
including Tau Beta Pi (engineering), Chi Epsilon (civil engineering), Sigma
Xi (scientific research), Phi Eta Sigma, Pi Mu Eplison, and Phi Kappa Phi.
A recipient of the Civil Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award, Dr.
Ledbetter was a versatile educator, teaching six different undergraduate
classes in civil engineering and eleven different graduate classes in environmental
engineering over his tenure at The University of Texas. At one time, Joe's
former students headed each of the major state of Texas agencies in charge
of the various aspects of environmental regulation, and students he educated
have taught air pollution engineering around the world. He published texts
in air pollution and radiological health and also served on the editorial
boards or as editor of journals in health physics, industrial hygiene,
air pollution control, and environmental engineering.
Professor Ledbetter officially retired from the University in 1993, in
a magnanimous move to allow the hiring of an assistant professor with air
pollution engineering interests. During his career, he served as assistant
chairman of civil engineering, graduate advisor of environmental health
engineering, and undergraduate advisor of civil engineering for numerous
years. He was well known for his philosophy of considering the students’ interests
to be paramount. He was a four-time recipient of the College of Engineering
Student Engineer Council's Distinguished Advisor Award and a recipient
of the Erwin S. Perry Civil Engineering Students' Appreciation Award. After
his retirement, his dedication to the students continued as he served as
undergraduate advisor and taught part-time. During one budgetary crisis,
he even taught without pay.
Dr. Ledbetter was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 43 years,
Nan Thompson Ledbetter, Ph.D. (1966), and two sisters and two brothers.
He was survived by his loving and beloved wife of 10 years, Ann Hagood
Ledbetter.
<signed>
Larry R. Faulkner, President
The University of Texas at Austin
<signed>
John R. Durbin, Secretary
The General Faculty
This memorial resolution was prepared by a special
committee consisting of Professors Howard M. Liljestrand, Joseph
F. Malina, Jr., and Earnest F. Gloyna.
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