Federal Highway Administration Resource Center

Memoriam: Barry Berkovitz Leaves a Legacy of Professionalism, Expertise, and Dedication

Barry C. Berkovitz, Geotechnical Engineer in Atlanta, age 55, passed away on Monday, July 12, 2004. His wife Pattricia Berkovitz and children, Heidi, Andrew, Mindy, and Kayla Freedman were close at hand providing love and encouragement. His unconditional love and support will be missed by all as well as his ability to laugh.

Barry joined the Federal Highway Administration in 1985. In his most recent position, Barry served as Senior Geotechnical Engineer for the FHWA Resource Center. He had extensive experience in project designs, construction, inspection, field assistance, research and development activities, training and technology transfer programs, as well as research and development activities. Barry also worked for more than 10 years in private practice, as well as in county government.

Peter Osborn, Team Leader for the Geotechnical and Hydraulics Team of the FHWA Resource Center, states, “Barry Berkovitz will be long remembered for his passion for Geotechnical Engineering and his unique style of doing business. He most enjoyed helping others with unusual Geotechnical problems and finding creative solutions. His ability to think out of the box resulted in many major contributions to the Geotechnical Engineering community...”

Barry was well respected for his professional ability and technical knowledge. His colleagues remember him as a leader in his field. “Barry has been a friend, colleague and trusted FHWA employee who was among the national experts at his craft,” states Jim St. John, Director of Field Services, South, FHWA.

“I will never forget the week I spent traveling by auto with Barry and two geotech co-workers throughout Florida in 1986. This was the beginning of a long and memorable friendship. Barry was one of the most professionally dedicated persons I have ever encountered...” states Doug Edwards, Senior Structures Engineer, FHWA Resource Center.

Barry’s experience included drilled shaft foundations, applied geophysics and NDT methods, high capacity foundation load tests, corrosion evaluation of metallic elements in MSE walls, rockfall hazard rating system, plasma arc for environmental mitigation and ground improvement, slope maintenance and slide restoration, drilled shaft foundations, applied geophysics and NDT methods, high capacity foundation load tests, corrosion evaluation of metallically reinforced MSE walls, rockfall hazard rating system, plasma arc for environmental mitigation and ground improvement, and slope maintenance and slide restoration.

Barry also is well remembered for his personality and openness, along with those gifts of warm bagels he shared with friends and his office mates. “He loved to share stories about his past experiences. He had a passion for his work in the Geophysical and corrosion monitoring areas. He had a good sense of humor. One thing that I will remember the most is Barry inviting the entire geoteam to his house in Atlanta...,” said Rich Barrow, Construction Quality Assurance Specialist, Western Federal Lands Division. “We got to meet his wife, see his art collection, and learn about a different side of Barry.”

Vonita Porch, Procurement Specialist, FHWA Resource Center, recalls, “...Barry had a great sense of humor; he kept me laughing...I am going to miss his calls; I am going to miss his smile, his laughter and those fresh warm bagels. ” Elaine Binkley, Atlanta Administrative Team, FHWA, remembers Barry as a “giver.” “Barry made his mark on this world in many different ways, touching lives along the way.”

Barry earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at New England College and his Master in Science in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Nova Scotia. “Barry has been a leader in the select and close family of Geotechnical Engineers in the FHWA for many years. He will be missed by all of us who have long respected his work. His works will continue to provide a reminder of his professional accomplishments, but our memories of Barry, our friend, and our good times together will also be long lasting,” affirms Craig Dewey, Design Operations Engineer, Western Federal Lands Division.

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