WSPE - Washington Society of Professional Engineers

03/14/2025

Carl M Hansen Scholarships - thank you to the Spokane area engineers - Beth Hodgson, PE, F.NSPE, Alan Gay, Bruce Turner, PE, Retired, David Finley, PE, Tim Harding, Lindsay Gilbert, P.E., Monica Harwood Duncan - and our administrator Stacy Barrera for helping with the interviews Thursday night at Spring Environmental, Inc.!

01/06/2025

RIP Neal Jacques, PE. who joined NSPE in 1970 and was a life member of the Mt. Rainier chapter. Neal died of heart failure in the early hours of Father's Day in 2024. He'd been in skilled nursing for a week and a half, then the hospital for five days before that. His decline and departure were enough to allow him and his daughter to start coming to terms with the change, but not so long for him to need to move out of his apartment and live with diminished capacities. Gwen Jacques died of heart failure on 9/11/2020, almost to her 93rd birthday. She didn't want a memorial service but always liked a party.

Saturday, January 11, 2025
3:00–Service celebrating the life of Neal Jacques at Trinity Episcopal, 609 8th Ave (8th & James) in Seattle.

4:00–Memorial party/remembrance-sharing for Gwen and Neal Jacques in 24th floor Sky Club Lounge of Skyline at 725 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98104.

For Neil's obituary see https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/lynnwood-wa/neal-jacques-11866704

11/16/2024

John W. Lee, PE (1940-2024) passed away May 31, 2024. He joined NSPE in 1971 and was a Life Member of the Lake Washington Chapter. John's obituary is available at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bellevue-wa/john-lee-11844481.

09/18/2024

Who wouldn't want a corporate office in Hawaii? Or great retirement benefits? Or the chance to start a new office? The Navy Facilities Engineering System Command for the Pacific is opening a satellite office in Spokane and they're looking for PEs.

05/01/2024

Are you interested in getting more involved?! WSPE is compiling our 2024-2025 slate of officers and we are looking for our next treasurer. It's a 2-yr term and responsibilities include reviewing monthly reports from financial services provider, triennially providing financial update to the board, and annually participating in auditing books. Message WSPE - Washington Society of Professional Engineers for more information. Nominations close 5/6/2024.

12/27/2023

The Washington State Board of Registered Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS) is collecting stakeholder feedback to measure the risk to public safety of the use of the title “Engineer,” by an unlicensed person, working in a position which offers engineering services to the public. All with any interest in this on-going issue are encouraged to respond; the survey is available at

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

07/28/2023

Harold "Hal" Williamson, PE, F.NSPE (1929-2023). Hal passed away yesterday.

Hal joined American Nuclear Society (ANS) in 1957 when he first received his Professional Engineer license and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in 1965. His professional career spanned more than six decades and included engineering and engineering management roles at GE Nuclear Energy, Exxon Nuclear, and Siemens. He later founded a consulting firm in Richland, WA.

Hal's exemplary service to the engineering profession, and specifically in the area of professional engineering examination policy and development, includes 20 years on the American Nuclear Society's Professional Engineering Examination Committee (PEEC), 15 years on the NCEES Chemical Examination Development Committee, more than 14 years of service on the Nuclear Examination Development Committee, 10 years of service on the Washington Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, 3 years of service as a member of the NCEES Examinations for Professional Engineers Committee and one year of service as a member of the NCEES Examination Policies and Procedures Committee. In 2017, Hal was awarded the NCEES Distinguished Examination Service Award in recognition of his profound contributions engineering professional licensure and to the development of engineering professional licensing examinations.

Hal was a source of inspiration to committee members for his breadth of knowledge, professionalism, wisdom, and integrity. He will be missed. Rest in Peace.

John S. Bennion, Ph.D., P.E., CHP, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

04/22/2023

Congratulations to Thomas Smailus, PhD, PE for being recognized as a 2023 Fellow of the National Society of Professional Engineers. Thomas, thank you for all you do for the profession!

04/20/2023

STEPHEN A OLSEN, PE (1934-2023). It is with sadness that we share that Stephen Olsen, Mt. Rainier chapter member and NSPE member for more than 53 years, passed away March 31, 2023.

Celebrate the life of Stephen Olsen, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of .

04/01/2023

CHARLES (CAP) PEARSON, PE (1944-2023). It is a with a sad heart that WSPE shares the passing of one of its long-term active members. Cap Joined NSPE in 1973, served as WSPE Treasurer, WSPE Education Foundation Treasurer, and Lake Washington President and Delegate, and has been celebrated as a Life Member of NSPE. Deeply rooted in Washington State, Cap was a proud Couger!

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03/14/2023

Scholarships!! PEs give back to future generations and NSPE is
giving back to students. Check out the NSPE Education Foundation Student Scholarships for high school, undergraduate and graduate students. Deadline April 1.
https://www.nspe.org/resources/students

12/26/2022

The Spokane Chapter of WSPE is once again facilitating the Spokane Chapter MathCounts competition. The chapter and state level competitions will be held in person and the Spokane competition is scheduled for February 25, 2023. We are fortunate to be hosted by Gonzaga University’s math department again this year and the competition will be held on the 3rd floor of the Hemmingson Center. The competition will start at 9:00 am and end with pizza for all. The Washington Society of Professional Engineers, Spring Environmental and Gonzaga University are already engaged as sponsors.

We could use 10 to 12 volunteers as MC, testing moderators, and/or graders (answer key provided). The only criteria for participating is a willingness to do so, being 14 years or older, and being able to follow instructions. 😁 The commitment is 1-time from approximately 8 am to 2 pm on February 25th. Please let me know if you’re interested and what role you would prefer. Thank you in advance!