Choosing to Help a New Engineer
A few years after graduating as a geotechnical engineer, I was sent to a site in Okinawa
to conduct field explorations for an offshore airfield adjacent to a Marine base. After
returning, I was asked to present a talk about this project to Chicago Engineers Club
luncheon meeting. I initially refused, never having given a talk to a group of engineers.
However, after being told that the luncheon group was not geotechnical engineers, I
reluctantly agreed. Much to my surprise, Ralph Peck was in Chicago the day of the talk
and attended the luncheon. My confidence sank to a low level, but somehow I was able to
stumble through the presentation. Afterwards, Ralph came to the speaker stand, shook
my hand, and told me how much he enjoyed the presentation. My confidence hit a new
high and I never forgot this incident. It also left me with the knowledge that Ralph, being
the real gentleman, could have criticized much of what I presented, but instead chose to
help a new engineer.
Robert G. Lukas, P.E.
This letter is an excerpt from the Geo-Strata Feature on Professor Peck, Geo-Strata September/October 2008.
