Sadly, Lewis L. "Lew" Oriard passed away on Dec. 31, 2020. In his 95 years, Lew had a very eventful life and he made incredible contributions to the understanding of blasting effects and practical limitations for high-risk work.
As a young man, Lew worked with his Grandfather Leon and Father Marcel at Oriard Powder Company - founded in 1910 in Spokane, Wash. In the early years, explosives were delivered by horse and wagon.
At age 15, Lew began studies in engineering at Gonzaga University in Spokane and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in civil engineering. At age 18, Lew's education was interrupted by WWII while he served in a Combat Engineers Unit. After the war, Lew returned to Gonzaga University and completed his undergraduate degree in civil engineering.
Lew continued his studies at St. Louis University in Missouri where he completed a master's degree in geology while also studying geophysics. Lew stayed on a few years at the University as a teaching faculty member.
In 1951, Lew returned to Spokane to become a part owner and technical advisor for Oriard Powder Company until 1965. He also provided independent consulting services during this period.
From 1965 to 1977, Lew relocated to California where he was an Associate to Consulting Principal and Partner at Woodward-Clyde Consultants. In 1977, Lew continued consulting from his Company - Lewis L Oriard, Inc. until he retired in 1995.
Lew authored The Effects of Vibrations and Environmental Forces in 1999, and in 2002, Lew completed work on Explosives Engineering, Construction Vibrations and Geotechnology. This important book concisely covers geotechnical subjects and provides many case histories summarizing key findings and challenges from Lew's diverse work throughout the world. Lew consulted on more than 1,500 projects in over 40 countries.
Lew had been an ISEE member since 1979. He was recognized by ISEE with a Blaster’s Leadership Award in 1992. He was presented with ISEE’s Distinguished Service Award in 2000. He was the first single author to have a book published by ISEE. Lew generously donated royalties from his books to the SEE Education Foundation which created a fund in his name: the Lew Oriard Scholarship Fund.
Lew's work is well documented in the books and many technical papers and journal articles he authored during his 50-year career.
Lew was a gracious and humble man with great integrity. When Lew's wife Helen was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease around 1995, Lew retired and with help from his children, they cared for her in his home for almost 20 years.
When Helen was finally admitted to a care facility, Lew and his son Tom visited her daily for eight years and carefully fed her to assure she had at least one good meal each day. Helen passed at age 92 in 2017. Lew's loving devotion to Helen is inspiring.
Lew is survived by his daughter Pam and sons Tim, Vince and Tom. He is predeceased by sons Steve and Doug, and his wife Helen.
