Texas Tech University

Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 
Distinguished Engineer Photo: H. Bennett Reaves
H. Bennett Reaves

H. Bennett Reaves

Distinguished Engineer

1988

Degree

Civil Engineering – 1948

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 1988

Bennett Reaves was born in Big Spring, Texas, and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1948.

Mr. Reaves joined the newly formed partnership of Parkhill, Smith & Cooper while still an undergraduate, progressed from drafter and technician through a number of managerial responsibilities, and was elected president of the firm in 1971. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 1986. During his career with PSC, Mr. Reaves had design responsibilities on a number of major projects, including master plans for five Air Force bases; a 42–million–gallon–per–day water treatment plant for the city of Lubbock; master plans and capital improvements for Lubbock International Airport and Midland Regional Airport; a number of civilian and military airport runway projects; and urban street design projects in Lubbock, Midland, Plainview, Brownfield, Lamesa, O’Donnell, Slaton, Snyder, and other cities.

Under Mr. Reaves’ direction, Parkhill, Smith & Cooper experienced tremendous growth. The firm today has offices in Lubbock, El Paso, Midland, and Austin, and is listed by EngineeringNews–Record as one of the top 500 engineering firms in the U.S.

Mr. Reaves’ professional memberships include the National Society of Professional Engineers, the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and Tau Beta Pi. He has served as president of both the South Plains Chapter of TSPE and the High Plains Branch of ASCE. In 1975, he was South Plains TSPE Engineer of the Year.

An active supporter of Texas Tech, Mr. Reaves is a member of the Texas Tech Century Club and past chairman of the Civil Engineering Advisory Council.

Mr. Reaves and his wife, the former Darlene Montgomery, are members of Highland Baptist Church. The Reaves have four daughters, Linda Wyatt, Cynthia Fox, Beverly Crisp, and Valerie Kyle, all of Lubbock; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

Texas Tech and the College of Engineering are proud to recognize Bennett Reaves’ accomplishments and support by naming him a DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER.

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