Delon Hampton, esteemed academic, founder of a firm bearing his name that has grown for 48 years, and at the outset of the 21st century, ASCE’s first Black president, has died. He was 87.
From impoverished days in Chicago to expansion of his firm Delon Hampton & Associates Chartered into a multimillion-dollar engineering company with seven offices, his success inspired many in the field as well as students in the classroom.
“He was a geotechnical engineer and he was truly down to earth,” said ASCE 2021 President Jean-Louis Briaud. “As our first Black president, his example will serve to inspire younger generations for many decades to come.”
Hampton, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE(Hon.), Hon.M.ASCE, Pres.00.ASCE, NAE, taught at Kansas State University and oversaw research at the University of New Mexico before joining the faculty at Howard University, in Washington, D.C., in 1968, where he would teach, conduct research, and publish papers for 25 years.
At a time when there were few Black-owned engineering companies, Hampton was a pioneer, founding DHA in 1973. His achievement encouraged minorities to pursue careers in engineering.
He was both founder and chairman of the board at DHA, which won contracts for such high-profile projects as the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, international airports in Atlanta and D.C., and metrorail projects in D.C., Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Key to its profile were the driving principles and traditions established by Hampton, who obtained professional engineering registrations in 18 states plus the District of Columbia.
In 1999 he was elected ASCE president for the year 2000. Over the years, the Society honored him with the Edmund Friedman Professional Recognition Award and the James Laurie Prize. He also served as president of ASCE’s National Capital Section and as district director of the ASCE Board of Direction.
“Delon was a passionate advocate for civil engineering and left a lasting legacy for ASCE and the profession. During his ASCE presidential term, he led the Society to establish the Outstanding Projects and Leaders Awards (OPAL) program, which ASCE continues to this day to recognize and celebrate the heroes of the civil engineering profession,” said Executive Director Tom Smith. “He leaves a long list of lasting ASCE accomplishments and civil engineering projects that enhance the quality of life for all of us. We are grateful for his leadership, service and his generous support of ASCE and offer our deepest sympathies to [spouse] Sonia and his family.”
Hampton’s contributions also took the form of valued service on many professional association boards. He was a former councilor of the National Academy of Engineering and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, among others. He was former chair of the Civil Engineering Research Foundation’s Corporate Advisory Board and Professional Activities Committees and active in a number of industry-related boards, including the American Public Transit Association Business Members Board of Governors, the National Building Museum Board of Directors, and the CEC Memorial Board.
“My first interactions with Dr. Hampton were during a period of my transition to greater national involvement with ASCE,” said 2021 President-elect Dennis Truax. “Even then, it was obvious that Delon was committed to seeing that our profession embraced inclusiveness, not just because it was the right thing to do, but because he understood that we are only at our best when all voices are heard.”
Hampton received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1954 from the University of Illinois. He went on to earn his master’s (1958) and Ph.D. (1961) in civil engineering from Purdue University. Hampton was a Chapter Honor Member of Chi Epsilon.
He loved reading nonfiction, playing tennis and golf, and traveling. He and his wife of 27 years, Sonia, traveled the world together.
Delon Hampton was a unique individual and consummate professional. I worked with him years ago through Delon Hampton Associates in Washington D.C. I found him to be an exceptional professional capable and thorough. He should be an inspiration to all engineers as to what we can achieve when we put our hearts and minds into it.
We will miss Delon Hampton, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE(Hon.), Hon.M.ASCE, Pres.00.ASCE, NAE who served ASCE so well.
I served as ASCE V.P in 2001-2003, when Delon was ASCE Past President on the Executive Committee. He always had a smile and positive attitude!
Jerry Rogers, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, Distinguished M. ASCE
[email protected]
Delon was a giant and pioneer in engineering. It was a privilege to know and be friends with him and Sonia. We at Purdue enjoyed his warmth, wisdom, and his love for Purdue where the Civil Engineering Building is now the Hampton Hall of Engineering.
Vince, this note to acknowledge your words about Delon. The legacy of U of I grads in civil engineering is huge.
With best regards,
Bill Hansmire
Delon’s dedication to the civil engineering profession and his sincere commitment to help younger professionals in their own career paths was always an inspiration to others. I was blessed to work with him in ASCE National Capital Section activities as well as other engineering organizations and will always remember him. For one thing, in his role as a member of the DC Board of Registration for Professional Engineers in 1975, he signed my first registration as a PE which, of course, I still have hanging on my wall.
Delon was a great influence on many in the engineering world. His legacy lives on with the many engineers with whom he worked at DHA and within the entire ASCE community. I enjoyed exciting and challenging work with Delon at DHA for 7 years. As a Past President of the National Capital Section, he helped advance its Scholarship Trust, which recognizes the academic achievements of future civil engineers. As ASCE President, Delon appointed me to ASCE’s History & Heritage Committee, on which I still serve. Thank you Delon – Susan and my thoughts and prayers are with Sonia and the family.
Bob Efimba, Sc.D., P.E, LMASCE, . regrets that we have lost Dr. Delon Hampton,P.E., a giant, a great pioneer, leader, role model and trail blazer in the engineering community.
I encouraged Delon, and was very pleased to see him succeed me as President of the National Capital Section at the local level of ASCE, and to see him go on to become ASCE President (2000) at the international level.
As the Chapter’s Chief Advisor, I am very proud that we in the Howard University DC Alpha Chapter of Tau Beta PI (TBP), the Engineering Honor Society, honored Delon twice, first by electing and initiating him to membership around 1986, and then successfully nominating him for TBP’s Highest honor, the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2014, the second of what would become the Chapter’s such success SIX years in a row, like none of the other 250 Chapters in the nation!
We shall miss Delon, but his legacy lives on! May His Soul Rest in Peace, after “A Life Constructed,” (The title of his 2013 autobiography).
It was my great pleasure to be able to know Mr. Hampton as his caregiver for over 7 years. I got to see firsthand what a true fighter and courageous man Delon Hampton was. It was an honor to be by his side along with his wife Sonia on his final day with us. Delon and Sonia are like my family.
He gave us a legacy of how one should live their life.
Vivían Durán, Caregiver
I knew him only briefly as a 5-year-old, yet I grew up to be a soil scientist. Today I’m 63 and have my own small environmental consulting firm. The memory of his beaming smile, sparkling eyes, looking into the eyes of a little girl is emblazoned into my memory for a lifetime. For years I searched for him knowing nothing about him or his career but my memories. I share my grief with you and Sonia, his family and friends. You can never possibly know how much your love has touched the world where you live and how it will continue to do so after you die.