James G. Seckler Ph.D.

Peoria – James G. (Jim) Seckler, Ph.D., Professional Engineer, 68, of Peoria, IL, passed away Wednesday October 5, 2011 at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Jim was born February 8, 1943 in Palo Alto, CA, to James and Marguerite Griffin Seckler. He married Sherry Rudolph on June 4, 1966 in New Mexico.

Surviving are his wife Sherry of Peoria, IL, his sons James R. Seckler of Brooklyn, NY and John S. Seckler of Jersey City, NJ, his sister Cindy (Dan) Marler of CA, his brother Ronald (Carol) Seckler of Sparks, NV, and two nephews Matthew Marler and Jarrod Seckler.

Jim attended Stanford University on a baseball scholarship and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1965. He was awarded graduate degrees in Master and Doctorate of Science in Civil Engineering in 1967 and 1970 (respectively) from New Mexico State University – with a specialty in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. He received academic honoraries from Sigma Xi (Research), Phi Kappa Phi (Academic), Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering Academic) and Tau Beta Pi (Engineering) for his graduate work at New Mexico State University.

Following his graduate work at New Mexico State, Jim participated in the NASA/ASEE Summer Systems Design Institute at the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. Jim also was awarded a Ford Foundation/ASEE Resident Faculty fellowship allowing him to work as a hydraulic engineer in private industry with Gilbert and Associates in Reading, PA from 1972-73.

Jim was an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Bradley University with teaching concentrations in Fluid Mechanics, Water Hydrology and Environmental Engineering. He was passionate about teaching young people at all levels of the college experience which is evidenced by his receiving the Outstanding Faculty Award in 1989, 1992, 2001 and 2009 – based on student evaluations. Jim also served as the Associate Dean to the College of Engineering from 1991 through 1997. His tenure spanned 41 years of service to Bradley and the student community culminating with his retirement in May of this year.

His dedication to his students and their success extended to other areas within Bradley University. Jim served on several important committees within the University but his favorite experiences were those that dealt directly with his students such as serving as the Departmental representative to the College Academic Policy; helping to establish the Global Explorer Program which allowed students to study Engineering abroad including Denmark, England, and Egypt; serving as Faculty Advisor to Chi Epsilon which was responsible for the design and construction of local area children’s playgrounds such as the current one at Glen Oak Park; and working with the Bridge-Pal Committee which ran a bridge design and construction competition for high-school students.

Jim was a member of the following scientific and professional societies – American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Engineering Education, National Society of Professional Engineers and the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers.

Additionally, Jim’s expertise in his field was highly sought after by private industry. Over the past 40 years, he provided consulting services to local area firms such as Associated Engineers, Inc., Caterpillar Tractor Company, A. and H. Engineering, Randolph and Associates, Inc., Forest Park Foundation, and Wildlife Prairie Park; the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago; as well as litigation services to multiple local area Attorneys.

To memorialize Dr. Seckler’s contributions to his students and the university community, Bradley University’s Civil Engineering and Construction Department has established the Dr. James G. Seckler Scholarship fund to be awarded annually with preference given to students historically under-represented in Civil Engineering.

His family encourages those wishing to extend their condolences to send a contribution in the name of Bradley University (with reference to this scholarship) to the following address:

c/o Amir W. Al-Khafaji, Ph.D., M. ASCE

Department of Civil Engineering & Construction

Jobst 206

1501 West Bradley Avenue

Peoria, Illinois 61625

Cremation rites will be accorded. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online tributes and condolences may be left at www.Davison-Fulton.com.

His family will be hosting an informal open house and reception on Sunday, October 9th from 3-5pm at his home at 924 NE Glen Oak, Peoria, Illinois.