Hugh Macpherson "Mac" Elliott

Elliott, Hugh Macpherson "Mac" SAN DIEGO -- Hugh Macpherson "Mac" Elliott passed away at home on March 10, 2013 at age 87. Born in 1925 to Agnes and C. Merton Elliott, he grew up in Pasadena, then boxed and ran track at UC Berkeley, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering. Some of his greatest friendships began during this time. An Ensign in the Navy, he served in China and the Philippines during 1940s postwar reconstruction. Mac married Audrey Petz of San Diego in 1949. In 1959, they moved their family to Phoenix and he continued his career in civil and structural engineering. From the early 1960s, Mac was a trendsetter, with evening jogs through his neighborhood, years before this became common practice. He continued running, and for six years in his 50s, he was Arizona State champion in his age class for 10,000 meters, as he said then, "the fastest old man in Arizona." He was a lifetime member and frequent speaker at conferences of the American Society of Civil Engineers; his work on snow load structural design was used in the US and Canada. Later, he was recognized for his work on transportation design to accommodate the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians nationally. In the 1960s and '70s, his participation on a Phoenix mayor's advisory council helped to catalyze the creation of the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. He served on another mayoral council to develop guidelines for indoor air temperatures - one of Arizona's early efforts toward energy efficiency. In the 1970s, he and Audrey began the first of many tandem bicycle trips which took them all over the US, as well as to France, the British Isles, Eastern Europe, and other points overseas; many lasting friendships started during these cycling adventures. The couple moved to the San Diego area in 1995. They continued to welcome friends and family to their home, to travel, and to do volunteer work in their extended community. Mac ran for fun well into his 70s, and was a well-known walker in his neighborhood until recently. Mac is survived by his wife, Audrey; sons, Doug and Jim; and daughter, Laurie; his twin brother, Jim; and sister, Caroline Reynolds; granddaughters, Wallis and Grace, grandson- in-law, Tyrone Hazen; great-grandson, Oliver Hugh Hazen; and a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Don. Mac was loved for his kindness, energy, humor, wide span of interests, and boundless enthusiasm for life. He will be missed. A private memorial service will be held in May. Thanks to all the Zenner, Eide, Reynolds, and Elliott families for their love and support. Thanks to Mac's wonderful caregivers, Zenaida and Anna ~ "You are angels!" In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy in Cardiff, Calif.