|
City Engineer
The position of City Engineer is first mentioned in the City Charter in 1873. The Engineer was elected by the Common Council. Two years later, the designation "Engineer" was replaced by the office of the Surveyor, also elected by the Common Council. The title was dropped from the City Charter by amendment in 1877, only to be reinstated by another amendment in 1883.
| 1873-1875 |
W. B. Hall |
Surveyor |
| 8/1875-7/1876 |
R. L. Thorne |
|
| 7/1876-7/1878 |
Phillip G. Eastwick |
Eastwick is credited with establishing the earliest datum point in Seattle. |
| 7/1878-8/1879 |
M. J. Costello |
|
| 8/1879-7/1882 |
F. H. Whitworth |
|
| 7/1882-8/1883 |
Joseph M. Snow |
|
| 8/1883-8/1886 |
Reginald H. Thomson |
|
| 8/1886-7/1888 |
Albro Gardner |
|
| 7/1888-8/1890 |
John G. Scurry |
|
| 8/1890-11/1890 |
M. Stixrud |
Also served as Fire Warden. Resigned in 1881 when elected King County Sheriff. |
The Freeholders City Charter of 1890 provided for a City Engineer to be appointed by the Board of Public Works and to serve at the pleasure of the Board.
| 11/1890-5/1892 |
Albro Gardner |
Gardner is considered Seattle's first City Engineer. |
| 5/1892-1896 |
Reginald H. Thomson |
The Board of Public Works removed Thomson in Feb. 1894, whereupon Mayor Ronald removed two members of the Board and Thomson was reinstated. |
The new Freeholders City Charter of 1896 provided that the City Engineer be appointed by the Mayor to serve a term of three years.
| 1896-1911 |
Reginald H. Thomson |
Thomson retired due to poor health. |
| 11/1911-7/1922 |
Arthur H. Dimock |
Dimock was appointed to serve out Thomson's term and was subsequently appointed City Engineer. |
| 7/1922-1/1927 |
James D. Blackwell |
|
| 2/1927-6/1928 |
W. Chester Morse |
|
| 6/1928-7/1930 |
William D. Barkhuff |
Barkhuff died while serving as Engineer. |
| 8/1930-7/1931 |
Reginald H. Thomson |
Thomson was appointed to serve out Barkhuff's term. |
| 7/1931-7/1932 |
Daniel W. McMorris |
|
| 7/1932-6/1934 |
Melvin O. Syliaasen |
|
| 6/1934-8/1934 |
Oscar A. Piper |
Acting City Engineer. |
| 8/1934-6/1936 |
Thomas R. Beeman |
|
| 6/1936 |
Oscar A. Piper |
Acting City Engineer. |
| 6/1936-3/1938 |
Nathaniel A. Carle |
|
| 5/1938-12/1947 |
Charles L. Wartelle |
Wartelle resigned due to ill health. |
| 1/1948-5/1948 |
C. G. Will |
Acting City Engineer pending appointment and confirmation of Ralph W. Finke. |
| 5/1948-12/1952 |
Ralph W. Finke |
Resigned Nov. 28, 1952. |
| 12/1952-2/1953 |
R. R. Hubbard |
Acting City Engineer. |
| 2/1953-2/1957 |
William F. Parker |
Was appointed Dec. 24, 1952 but did not take office until Feb. 2, 1953 due to Navy service. |
| 2/1957-4/1971 |
Roy W. Morse |
Morse resigned his position as Superintendent of Water to become City Engineer. Roy was the son of Chester Morse. |
| 5/1971-5/1974 |
Robert J. Gulino |
|
| 5/1974-5/1981 |
Paul A. Wiatrak |
|
| 5/1981-3/1986 |
Eugene Avery |
|
| 4/1986-10/1994 |
Gary Zarker |
Zarker was appointed interim Director of Engineering and later appointed Director. He was the first non-engineer to serve as director of the department. |
| 11/1994-1997 |
John Okamoto |
|
The Engineering Department was abolished in 1997; its functions were divided between Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Transportation.
|
