It is with deepest regret that we must announce the passing of Michael W. O'Neill, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, Cullen Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Houston, Texas. Mike apparently suffered a heart attack at his home. Memorial and funeral services will be held on Wednesday August 6, 2003 at the following locations:

 

Dr. O'Neill joined the faculty of the University of Houston in 1974 after receiving his Ph. D. degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970 and serving as a research associate with the Center for Highway Research in Austin and senior engineer with Southwestern Laboratories, Inc., in Houston, until 1974. Dr. O'Neill formerly served as chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His research interests were in foundation engineering and allied fields. He was principal investigator or co-principal investigator for 56 externally funded research projects since 1974, for which expenditures exceeded $6 million. He authored over 200 papers, books and peer-reviewed reports related to his scholarly pursuits.

Dr. O'Neill was an active member of the Geo-Institute throughout his professional career. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the ASCE Geotechnical Engineering Division (predecessor of the Geo-Institute) from 1993 - 1996, chairing the ExCom in 1995. Additionally, Dr. O'Neill was the recipient of numerous ASCE awards, including the State-of-the-Art of Civil Engineering Award (1984), the Walter L. Huber Research Prize (1986), the prestigious Karl Terzaghi Lecture (1998), and the Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award (2003). Dr. O'Neill's presence in the geo-community will be profoundly missed.

From the University of Houston:

Professor O'Neill touched the lives of many friends, students, and colleagues. If you would like to share a message or story of how he impacted your life please email this tribute to: oneill@curly.cive.uh.edu Notes received by the evening of August 5 will be compiled and shared with family and friends of Michael O'Neill at the funeral services. Additional notes after August 5 will also be forwarded to the family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established for Professor O'Neill through the University of Houston. If you wish to contribute, please send checks to the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the address below. Checks can be made out to the UH/Michael O'Neill Memorial Fund.

 

Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering
University of Houston
4800 Calhoun
N107 Engineering Bldg 1
Houston, Tx. 77204-4003
Phone - (713) 743-4250 Fax - (713) 743-4260