Emeritus Professor Bob Park (1933–2004) has had a distinguished academic career and is recognised internationally for the quality of his teaching and research, and his extensive list of publications.
Born in Suva, Fiji, in 1933, Bob graduated from the University of Canterbury with BE (1956) and ME with distinction (1958) degrees in Civil Engineering and went on to complete his PhD on concrete slab behaviours at the University of Bristol in 1964.
He joined the Civil Engineering Department at Canterbury in 1965, where he became a Professor of Civil Engineering at the age of 35. He retired in 1999. Bob was head of department from 1978 to 1992 and served the University as Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 1993 to 1999.
He was involved in setting up the University’s Alumni Association and continues as a committed member of the executive.
Bob’s work led to pioneering developments in concrete structures and seismic design. His research into concrete structures, particularly the design of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete buildings and bridges for earthquake resistance, made a name for him around the world. His work with fellow colleagues has resulted in Canterbury’s seismic design work becoming widely known internationally.
He has received many prestigious national and international awards for his technical publications and research. Bob wrote his major work with Emeritus Professor Tom Paulay. The book, Reinforced Concrete Structures (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1975), has become an international textbook and has been reprinted 10 times.
In 1995 Bob received the honour of Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his services to civil engineering.
Citation authorised as true and correct at April 2001.
