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The Man, The Myth, The Legend is Retiring

1/4/2021

30 Comments

 
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After 50+ years of dedicated service to NTH and the geotechnical profession, Harry Price retired from NTH on December 18, 2020. 

Throughout a career that spans nearly six decades, Harry achieved legendary distinction in the industry. Summed up best by colleague, Larry Gilbert: “The term “legend” is appropriate for Harry as there are few individuals in the engineering profession who do not know Harry either professionally, personally, or perhaps simply are aware of his reputation as an unequalled resource for historical information.”  

Through his presentations, experience, and expertise, Harry became well known and respected in the Civil Engineering Fraternity. His infamy extends nationally with work he has done with NASSCO (through which Harry is a PACP / MACP / LACP trainer), MWEA, and other organizations. He has presented in numerous National conventions and authored / coauthored articles published in countless magazines. Harry is recognized as the go-to resource for institutional knowledge, including Detroit sewer systems, sewer rehabilitation technologies, construction materials, grouting, and Confined Space Entry protocols, among many others

The well-earned legendary status even extends to Harry’s personal archival collection of technical papers, carefully administered to a level of organized efficiency somewhere between a graduate library and a paper recycling plant. Suffice it say, however, if a person needs technical information, Harry has it, and more astoundingly, can always locate it. (Larry Gilbert)  An example of this extraordinary filing style is shared by colleague, John Kosnak: “When we were working on the Hudson Building shortly after it was razed, there was a green water in the lower basement that the client called us out to check.  As Harry and I were walking back to the Detroit office (at Harmony Center on Gratiot), he mentioned that Mr. Tiseo had written a paper, years earlier, about something similar.  He went to his desk, sat in his chair, spun around and opened a drawer on one of a few file cabinets behind his desk, reached into a file and pulled out the report.  It was obvious that he hadn’t pulled the file before we went to the site.”  

Harry is a prolific collector of old books. Many of which have been used over the years to assist in the evaluation of structures built 50 to 100 years ago.  Whenever asked, Harry could find the reference with a description or photograph of how things were done.  His collections grew, as he always saw a need to keep things for future reference.  He was usually right.  In instances where owners no longer had records, Harry usually had something.

Perhaps his most renowned “superpower”, a photographic memory.  Best said by colleague, Saju Sachidanandan: “Harry is like a sponge, the more you squeeze, the more you get out of him!” Through the years, engineers and contractors have called upon Harry as their “go-to” guy for his photographic memory. Not even technology could compete with the vast library he can summon of the things he has seen and done, even remembering numbers and details of projects from 20, 30 or 40 years ago. 

Throughout his career, Harry worked to keep NTH on the forefront of technology.  In the middle 1980’s he came up with the idea for using shotcrete with steel fiber reinforcement to reline a tunnel, a cutting- edge concept at that time. From air-packs to gas detectors to fall protection devices, Harry’s passion for technology and safety kept NTH’s underground safety protocols current and exemplary.

Harry leaves in his wake a legacy of mentorship. A passionate volunteer, Harry devoted a lifetime to the Boy Scouts of America; and did not miss an opportunity to mentor students and colleagues alike. Shared by Larry Gilbert, “Harry’s impact on his colleagues, particularly the young and aspiring ones, remains an important aspect of this man’s legend. Speaking of impacts, Harry’s traditional “slap to the back of one’s head” gently delivered (well, usually) to address an unfortunate oversight has left many of us with a lesson not easily forgotten.” 

I suspect that all of us in the engineering and heavy construction field have benefitted individually from a small handful of instructors, mentors, and professional colleagues that have established an indelible mark on our own presence and our preferred way of “getting things accomplished. There exists a standard of excellence in the engineering profession that all aspire to achieve, but relatively few truly succeed. Harry Price is one of those rare mentors who indeed meets, and surpasses, that standard. Larry Gilbert

Equipped with a full arsenal of military accomplishments, hands-on field experience in many of the most difficult, inconceivably challenging environments Imaginable, and possessing a willingness to always explore new arenas, Harry has pretty much done it all, with a “charming and gentle presence as well.”

True to the legend’s status, there are no doubt many, many people who will miss Harry that never actually met him, but know him by the mark he has left.

Harry, thank you for your support/help and being our “NTH-pedia” throughout the years! 

Please leave a comment below if you have a special memory, funny story or just something nice to say and we will be packaging the comments up for Harry to take with him!
30 Comments
Charlie Roarty
1/5/2021 08:48:06 am

I have had the pleasure of working with Harry for my entire 33 year career at NTH and had the added benefit of his counsel during my volunteer years with the Boy Scouts. Always calm and practical in his approach to everything, Harry could also dish out a "slap to the back of the head" when you slipped up - especially on a safety issue. As the leader of NTH's unofficial Odd Jobs Department, Harry's breadth of materials knowledge solved many a problem over the years. A true professional and friend, I will miss your good humor moving forward and wish you well on your retirement.

Reply
David R. Lutz
1/5/2021 09:02:56 am

Congratulations, Harry on a well-earned retirement! Your reputation and accomplishments have and will continue to proceed you for many years to come. Your dedication to your profession and NTH are an almost unparalleled feat that will likely never be matched. My sincere best wishes for you in your next adventures.

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Jacqueline M Roehl
1/7/2021 08:06:50 pm

It's been a pleasure working with you, Harry - you always had an upbeat, positive attitude. Best wishes in your retirement!

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Fred Janeczko
1/7/2021 09:58:28 pm

Congratulations Harry. I worked with Harry, at NTH for 10 years, after I retired form DWSD. Harry had the rare ability to "pull a rabbit out of his hat" to solve difficult solutions on a variety of engineering projects. We have kept in touch over the years, since I retired for a second time from NTH. Now that Harry is joining me in retirement, I am sure we will still keep in touch. I wish him health, wealth and happiness for the years to come.

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Mike Flanagan
1/8/2021 08:49:08 am

I enjoyed working with you at NTH. Best wishes in your retirement!

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HB Singh link
1/8/2021 11:51:35 am

congratulations on your retirement journey. Best of luck for a an enjoyable and plenty of quality time with your family members which was not available all these years you spent working so diligently and efficiently. I will be following you soon on this journey later this year. Thank you for all the cooperation you provided whenever we needed your service.

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Jerry Neyer
1/8/2021 02:32:07 pm

I met the young Eagle Scout named Harry Price in 1967 when he came to work at the firm which became HTH. I was impressed with how quickly he learned to do the lab tests. I watched him grow through night school and more, even talking time out to keep our nation safe in the Army. A truly amazing man. We spent some fun times strolling through Detroit’s sewer systems and he kept learning things as I was running out of memory space. Enjoy the future Harry!

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Melanie Linn
1/11/2021 10:42:05 am

Best wishes for you in your retirement Harry! Maybe we will run into each other at St. Val's fish fry. Enjoy yourself and congratulations!

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Dawn Comerford
1/11/2021 10:45:00 am

Congrats Harry!! You will be missed!! Thank you for all the help you gave over the years when I needed a drawing identified by what project it was for, for sharing all the stories about your grandchildren and for all the entertainment with keeping the younger staff on their toes.

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Pamela Golden
1/11/2021 10:48:49 am

Congratulations Harry on your much deserved retirement. I'm sure you are going to enjoy not having to get up before the chickens do. I'll always remember out talks about Soddy Daisy, where I grew up. Don't know many people that are familiar with this city; so I was surprised when you told me you knew exactly where it was. Wishing you all the very best life has to offer in this next chapter of you life. Take care!

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Keith Swaffar
1/11/2021 11:05:31 am

Harry: Best wishes on a long and enjoyable retirement. It's been great working with your for almost 40 years starting back when we were both field engineers grouting cracks in the Oakland Macomb Interceptor. The photograph of you in the Northeast Raw Water tunnel reminds me of the days when we were much younger. I'll miss your ability to recall 20 or 30 year old project numbers and to always lay your hands on a reference that we remembered but hadn't used in 10 years. Thanks for all of the technical innovations that you brought to NTH and our clients over the years and for your dedication no matter how many hours a week it took.

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Joel Schanne
1/11/2021 11:31:31 am

Congratulations, Harry! Best wishes in retirement. I have enjoyed listening to all of your stories. Thank you for your willingness to teach and explain. You have been a great mentor and I have learned a lot from you.

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Philip Brink
1/11/2021 11:46:31 am

Congratulations on your retirement. Glad we could do a joint presentation on the OMIDDD tunnel several years back. Best wishes going forward.

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Lauren Fabry
1/11/2021 01:12:51 pm

Congratulations on your retirement Harry! Best wishes!

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Bhushan Modi
1/11/2021 01:33:48 pm

Working with you was such a pleasure. I always appreciated your institutional knowledge on legacy projects. You will be certainly missed a NTH. Best of luck, and enjoy your retirement! You deserved it.

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Patti Bowman
1/12/2021 04:33:17 am

Congratulations on your retirement Harry! Wishing you a long an happy next chapter in your story. Thank you for the endless smiles, great stories and for being an inspiration to all! We WILL miss you!!!

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Anthony Sinatra
1/12/2021 08:02:31 am

Congratulations, Harry. Best of luck to you!

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Tom Washabaugh
1/12/2021 08:53:05 am

Congratulations on your retirement and everything you have done for the Engineering Community! It has been a pleasure working with you over the many years and we will miss you and your expertise. Hope you are near some warm weather and enjoying life for many years to come.

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Karyn Rekuc
1/12/2021 10:48:42 am

Harry, I am so happy for you as you embark on this next well deserved chapter in your life. It has been a real pleasure working with you and we will all certainly miss your warm and engaging personality!! Best of Health and Happiness to you!

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Larry Quick link
1/12/2021 02:53:55 pm

Congratulations on your retirement. It is well deserved. During my time at NTH you involved me with several interesting & challenging "odd jobs". I will never forget the midnight walks through the Detroit sewer systems. Thanks for all the knowledge and experience that you passed along. Good Luck and enjoy your retirement.

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Lisa Dilg
2/1/2021 12:22:45 pm

Harry - I enjoyed every proposal and project I worked with you on. I was always in awe of your skills, writing ability, memory and your sense of humor! We will miss you.

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Ben Naber
2/23/2021 01:17:59 pm

Congratulations on your well deserved retirement Harry! Your smile is contagious. I'll always admire how much passion you put into your work. Stay healthy!

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George Mansour
2/23/2021 01:22:58 pm

Congratulations on your retirement, Harry! I really enjoyed working with you and learning from all your stories. I hope you enjoy your retirement and spending more time with your family!

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Sam Yaldo
2/23/2021 01:37:08 pm

Harry: Congratulations on a well deserved retirement. I've known you the entire 42 years that I have spent (so far) at NTH. It was really a pleasure working with you, especially in all the sinkhole projects. How can I forget the days of the Raw Water Tunnel Emergency Repairs and the strange phone calls we would get at the job trailer??? Enjoy your retirement my friend.

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Tony Brehmer
2/23/2021 03:22:32 pm

Congratulations, Harry! Best wishes in your well deserved retirement. I have enjoyed listening to all of your stories and learning the real life lessons from someone who has definitely seen a lot. Enjoy your retirement Harry.

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Zhiren Zhu
2/23/2021 03:24:53 pm

Congratulations on your retirement, Harry! Thank you for teaching me so much -- how to safely perform confined space entry, finding culverts by observing vegetations, history of Detroit ... I will miss having the best view of your uniquely organized office, proudly earning my occasional whacks, and absorbing bits and pieces of your wisdom, sometimes just by eavesdropping.

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April Boehm
2/23/2021 03:54:56 pm

The best part of working with you was your insightful information and delightful nature. I'll miss the stories and the lotto banter. I really enjoyed working with you. Best wishes!!

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Abdul Rafay Mohammed
2/25/2021 05:58:47 pm

Congratulations on your retirement. Your dedication and contribution to NTH has motivated me to give my best going forward. I am glad to have worked with you as a team member. Wishing all the very best on your retirement.

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Bill Lansing
3/5/2021 05:34:35 pm

I found out early in my time at NTH that when something in a project didn’t add up or I needed more information on how something was built 50 or 150 years ago, Harry Price probably had a book, article, drawing, or story that might apply (and definitely a witticism, if nothing else). Though short, in our overlapping time together at NTH, I have gleaned a considerable amount of information and experience out of our conversations (even the banter) that I am sure will aid me in the rest of my career. For your advice, guidance, and assistance over the last few years, Harry, I am sincerely grateful. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you! I truly wish you well in your retirement and whatever comes next!

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Sweta Parikh link
8/8/2022 10:37:56 am

Thanks for sharing this helpful information! It's quite an interesting topic. Waiting for your next excellent update.

Reply



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