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Delapp -- Kenneth Dewey DeLapp, Jr. Professional Engineer & Land SurveyorAge 76, passed away Friday, October 18, 2002 at 2:23 a.m. in Santa Fe, NM. He was recovering from recent heart surgery when he suffered a fatal heart attack. Ken was a 50-year resident of Santa Fe, and the president and owner of DeLapp Engineering, a consulting firm of civil and structural engineers.Ken worked as a structural engineer for 55 years. He provided the structural design for a wide range of structures, including office buildings, schools, churches, medical centers, private residences, college dormitories, hotels, restaurants, industrial buildings, water and sewage plants, art galleries, sculptures, and highway bridges. His many local building projects include the Inn at Loretto, St. Vincent Hospital, St. John's College, the College of Santa Fe, the New Mexico State Police Complex, and the Capitol High School facility. He donated his engineering services to the restoration of historical New Mexico churches. In addition to his work in New Mexico, he worked on projects in seven other western states. He also provided structural design services for an artisan center and hotel in Katmandu, Nepal. He took great pride in designing for adobe, straw bale, recycled tires (earthships), and other alternative building materials. His broad experience gave him a national reputation in the construction industry.Ken loved his colleagues, his work, and his office. He had no definite plans to retire. He enjoyed his friends and clients who stopped by the office to discuss their problems or just to chat. As one local builder said,"Ken always had time for me. I would go to Ken [with construction problems] that were bothering me, and he would calm me down and explain how things worked."Many of Santa Fe's architects, draftsmen and engineers, got their start at DeLapp Engineering. All admired his thoroughness and attention to detail, keen analytical mind, exquisite drawings, and the strength of his character. He was the kind of teacher who wouldn't just give you the answer, but he would lead you on the right road and inspire you to find out how to solve the problem for yourself, so you truly knew that you had the answer. Ken was very much loved and appreciated for his gentleness, kindness, generosity and commitment to excellence.Ken was a natural leader and an innovator. He would check the accuracy of computer programs, textbooks and codes; there were many occasions when he found mistakes and informed the authors. He was a respected expert witness on anything structural. He loved to solve a problem and excelled at discovering the root cause.Ken was born November 8, 1925, in Frederick, South Dakota. He grew up in Mitchell, SD, where he attended junior high school and prep school with his future wife, Mary Lorraine Kangus. Upon graduation from high school in 1943, he joined the Navy. While in the service he entered the V-12 program, in which he studied at the University of Minnesota and at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Ken played the trombone in the varsity marching band at Ann Arbor, an activity that got him admission to all the Badger football games. In 1946, he earned his Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering, and after completing a period of training and service on active duty in the United States Navy, World War II, he was released to inactive duty. He joined a Detroit engineering firm, and in 1948 married Mary Lorraine. He received his Masters degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1949.Ken and Mary moved to Santa Fe in December, 1952, for the express purpose of establishing a business with Earl P. (Pat) Wood. Ken was a partner in Wood & DeLapp until becoming owner of DeLapp & Associates, DeLapp & Gordon Engineering Co., and now DeLapp Engineering Corporation. He was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers since 1952, and the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers since 1953. He served as State President, NMSPE, 1977-78; National Director, 1979-80; held all offices in the Santa Fe/Los Alamos Chapter; received outstanding service awards in 1975 and 1976; and was named New Mexico Engineer of the Year in 1980. He was also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers since 1953, serving as President of the New Mexico Section, 1978-79. He was retired from the U. S. Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant, j.g.Ken was a registered Professional Engineer & Land Surveyor in New Mexico; and a registered Professional Engineer in Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Washington, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada.With his wife Mary, Ken was an active member of the Santa Fe community. He belonged to the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, the Elks Lodge, Coronado Kiwanis Club, the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra, and the United Methodist Church. He served as a precinct chairman and Santa Fe County Republican Party Central Committee member. Ken was also active in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as scoutmaster of local Troop 23 during and after the departure of the late great Gil Phillips. Ken also served as Committee member of Troup 49, and Neighborhood Commissioner. He was a teacher at the Santa Fe Community College.He was a licensed private pilot and a member of the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association. He was also a certified scuba diver. He enjoyed camping, hiking, hunting, and fishing. He had a remarkable sense of humor that was much enjoyed by all who knew him.Ken is survived by his wife, Mary Lorraine Kangus DeLapp; son, Kenneth D. DeLapp III and his wife, Vicki of Albuquerque; son, Winton J. DeLapp and his wife, Patty of Albuquerque; daughter, Margot L. DeLapp de Anaya and her husband, Frank Anaya of Falls Church, VA; son, J. Marsden DeLapp and his wife, Susan Hapka of Placitas, NM; daughter-in-law, Mary J. (Molly) DeLapp of Albuquerque; four grandchildren, Nicole J. DeLapp, Kenneth D. DeLapp IV, Susan I. DeLapp, and Marzanne L. DeLapp de Anaya; sister, Evelyn Stach and her husband, Tom of Mitchell, SD; sister, LeMay Britain and her husband, Maynard (Brit) of Oelrichs, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.The DeLapp Family would like to thank William M. (Bill) Druc, P.E. for his loyal service at DeLapp Engineering, his support of the family during this difficult time, and most importantly, his friendship to Ken.A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 24, 2002 at St. John's United Methodist Church, 1200 Old Pecos Trail. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m., Santa Fe National Cemetery.McGee Memorial Chapel 1320 Luisa Street 983-9151
        Published on: Wed October 23, 2002