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W. Corley Obituary
W. Gene Corley of Glenview, IL passed away peacefully on March 1, 2013. He was 77 years old. Gene was the son of the late Clarence W. and Mary Douthit Corley of Shelbyville, IL. He was married to Lynd Wertheim Corley for 53 years. Dr. Corley was currently employed as a Senior Vice President of The CTL Group. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1954. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering ('58), M.S. in Structural Engineering ('60) and Ph.D. in Structural Engineering ('61) from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL. He was president of the Varsity Men's Glee Club, Bronze Tablet, ROTC, and a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity. He was a captain in the Army Corp of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, VA. Gene served as an elder and deacon of Northminster Presbyterian Church, Evanston, IL, a member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, Boy Scout Webelo leader, President Cook County District Board the American Red Cross, President of the District 34 Caucus, President Association House Board of Directors. Member of the Kaskaskia and New Buffalo Yacht Clubs. Dr. Corley is one of the world's foremost experts in analyzing buildings damaged by bombs, earthquakes, fire and tornadoes. He led the federal investigation into the September 11, 2001, collapse of the World Trade Center's twin towers. He also conducted the investigation of the 1995 collapse of part of the Murrah Federal Building caused by the Oklahoma City bombing, and served as expert advisor during the investigation and trial resulting from the 1993 fatal fire at the Branch Davidian complex in Waco, Texas. He is survived his wife Lynd, children Anne Corley Baum wife of Bradley in Bethlehem, PA, Bob and wife Chris Corley in Arlington Heights, Scott and wife Melissa Corley in Glenview, and 9 grandchildren: Reed, Shay, Catie, Matthew, Samantha, Clare, William, Charlotte and Lilly. Visitation Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 4 PM until time of funeral service 7 PM at N.H. Scott and Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Road (just south of Lake Ave. on west side), Glenview. Interment will be Thursday, March 7, 2013 at Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL following visitation 12-2 pm at Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Illinois Foundation, 1305 West Green Street, MC-386, Urbana, IL 61801 or Midwest Care Center, 2050 Claire Ct, Glenview, IL 60025 or carecenter.org/make-a-gift. 
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Memories and Condolences
for W. Corley
Prof. Dr.Engr.Shuaib Ahmad
February 26, 2024
From 1998 to 2009, I served as Secretary of ISO TC 71 under the dynamic leadership of chair Dr. Corley. He was instrunental in development of international code ISO 19338. I remember his grace and personality in Tecnical Committee meetings of ACI 318. A fine gentleman
Gail Oliver - Florida Land Surveyor
February 26, 2024
My thoughts and prayers with all the family! Gene and I served NCEES together for about 10 years and he was an amazing man, father, grandfather, and engineer. His knowledge was paramount to anything I had ever witnessed. Yet he as so normal to spend time and around and just talk about family, boating, really anything. As female land surveyor in the midst of a lot guys, Gene always made me feel important and a part of the NCEES family.
Laurence W. Johnson
February 25, 2022
Again, I still remember the two wonderful sessions I had interviewing the great engineer W. Gene Corley. I have given the interview to friends to read many times and they have been highly impressed by his life & career.
Laurence Johnson
February 25, 2021
Dear Corley Family & Friends
I was very happy to have two one hour sessions with Dr. Corley in his office. It was for the interview I did for the Skokie Public Library website Skokienet.org [no longer active] and was quote by the 2013 Structure technical journal. I attended the memorial and was happy to meet his wonderful family & friends. Some of my friends have since enjoyed reading that interview. ---Warmest regards from Laurence W Johnson
Pravin Patel
February 26, 2014
Dear Corley Family,
I had utmost privilege of knowing Dr. Corley (Gene) through NCEES. My time with him on few committees as well as his involvement with aftermath of 9/11 was glimpse in to his profound knowledge of the his chosen profession. The engineer profession will miss him immensely. My condolences.
Dr. Shuaib Ahmad
August 2, 2013
Dear Lynd:
With profound sadness, please accept our deep condolences and prayers for Dr W. Gene Corley.
Having worked with him for over 10 years as secretary of ISO/TC71, an international committee he chaired, I cherished his friendship and his professional integrity. His leadership and worldwide impact in the field of concrete technology and design of concrete structures as the Chairman of ISO/TC 71, will be always remembered. I was fortunate to have known him personally and professionally.
His passing away is loss to all of us.
Dr. Shuaib Ahmad
Sanjay Pant
March 26, 2013
With profound sadness we note the news of the demise of Dr W. Gene Corley. His leadership in the field of concrete technology and design of concrete structures as the Chairman of ISO/TC 71, will be always remembered. His passing away is loss to all of us.
March 17, 2013
Dear Lynd, I was so sorry to hear of your husband's passing as one year ago this time we were in NY enjoying the MTNA Conference. My heart goes out to you and yours as I know the sadness in loosing a spouse. Marcia Mally
March 8, 2013
Dear Corley Family, please accept my condolences and prayers for your fathers passing.
All my love, Richard Lucchesi
March 6, 2013
It is great loss globally We pray his soul rest in peace .We also send our condolences to his family and friends.
Cyrus and Maharukh from India
Guillermo and Mayra Santana
March 6, 2013
A terrible loss. Our hearts go out to Lynd and familly. Dr. Corley will be missed here in Costa Rica and everywhere that a concrete is reinforced with a steel rebar.
Paolo Negr0
March 6, 2013
I'm so sorry. I and my colleagues will miss him so. The TC71 meetings will not be the same.
Manuel Ramirez, Lorena & daughters
March 6, 2013
I will always remember the significant contributions made by Dr. Corley for the benefit of civil engineering in the world as Chair of ISO TC 71 standardization committee. We want to express our most sincere condolences to Lynd and the whole family.
Luis and Camila Garcia
March 6, 2013
Lynd and family, please receive our condolences for the passing of a gentleman that happened also to be one the greatest engineers of an extraordinary era. It was a privilege to work along with Gene in Code committees and other activities of the American Concrete Instiute for many decades.
Jim Riney
March 6, 2013
Sorry to receive the word. Gene was a fine gentleman and an excellent engineer.
Always enjoyed his leadership and working with him on National Council projects.
Neil Hawkins
March 6, 2013
Dear Lynn and Family: Ann and I were greatly saddened to learn of Gene's passing. He was a true friend to me and a wonderful person. We spent many memorable hours working together
Bev Sheridan
March 5, 2013
I'm so sorry to hear about Gene's passing. Prayers are with you and your family.
Gary & Sylvie St. Hilaire
March 5, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to the entire family. Knowing Anne as we do, we are certain that Dr. Corley was a wonderful man to have raised such a terrific person.
Yosef Farbiarz
March 5, 2013
Dear Lynd and family:
I met Dr. Corley through my work in ACI and ISO. His support and advice were priceless. My wife and I looked always forward to see Lynd and him at the ISO Plenary Meetings where we had many great times in your company.
We are deeply saddened by this sorrowful knews. We send with this humble message our deepest respect to Dr. Corley's memory and our love to his beloved wife Lynd and his children.
Yosef and Cecilia
Blaine Leonard
March 5, 2013
I had the pleasure of interacting with Gene periodically through common circles in the American Society of Civil Engineers. Gene was an expert engineer, a great leader, and served with passion. I was very saddened to hear of his passing. We all benefited from his contribution and will miss his insights.
March 5, 2013
I spent some wonderful hours with Dr Corley. Several years ago I enquired about doing an interview with him about his life & career for the Skokie Public Library website - Skokienet.org. It was arranged with the help of his staff and we had two sessions. The interview is still available on the website and comes up on easily web-searches. He was one of the most fascinating engineers I have ever known. I send deepest condolences to his family. Meeting with him is a memory I treasure.
Laurence W. Johnson
Jennifer Hicks
March 4, 2013
I had the pleasure of getting to spend a day with "Grandpa" Corley this past summer, enjoying a beautiful day and watchcing him do something he loved- sail his boat. It was a wonderful day I will always treasure! My prayers and condolences go out to all the Corley family. I hope you find comfort in a quote by John F. Kennedy "We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came."
george and Helen Karkazis
March 4, 2013
March 04, 2013
We were saddend by the departure of
your husband. Lynd and family, our deep
condolences.
March 4, 2013
Dear Lynd and family,
George and I express our most heartfelt
condolences to you and family. What a
wonderful accomplised man he was. You
must be so proud.
George and Helen Karkazis
Pravin Patel
March 4, 2013
I had pleasure of working with Gene through NCEES and attained a new level of respect for the man after his study of 9/11 disaster. May he rest in peace.
Dave Curtis
March 4, 2013
Gene was a visionary leader and a fine man. Among his many accomplishments was being President of the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. In that position he formed the Computer-Based Testing Task Force which has resulted in the beginning of conversion of engineering and surveying certification and licensing exams from paper-and-pencil to computers. I remember his chagrin when he pointed out that engineers invented the computer and nearly all the other professions were using it for licensing exams, but the engineers weren't. He saw the need to progress and made it happen. He will be missed by the entire engineering and surveying communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lynd and the rest of the family.
Gail Oliver
March 4, 2013
Our paths crossed professionally with NCEES but it's the friendship that remained. May you rest in peace Gene. You were a true gentleman and always made me feel comfortable regardless of the number of Phd's in the room:)
Nabi Fakroddin
March 4, 2013
I had known Gene for many years and served with him on the Structural Board. He was truly a professional and a gentleman. I admired his qualities and I am certainly going to miss him.
Our deepest condolences to Mrs Corley and the family of their loss.
Nabi Fakroddin
March 4, 2013
Gene was one of the best engineers I had
ever met. He was a great leader of the NCEES. He will truly be missed. God be with you at this time.
Glenn Haynes
William Bast
March 4, 2013
I knew Gene primarily through his volunteer work at SEAOI and NCSEA. He was a tremendous advocate for the profession of structural engineering, and provided wise counsel to those of us who have tried to follow in his footsteps. I'm sorry that I will be out of town for the visitation and funeral later this week, but my deepest condolences to his wife Lynd and his family. He was an inspiration to me as a Christian and as a structural engineer.
March 4, 2013
Dear Lynd:
Gene and I have been friends since I first started coming to ACI. I did not know that he was ill (if he was). We served on Committee 318 since 1977. My sincerest condolence to you and the rest of your family. I and many others will miss him at ACI (and elsewhere).
Chuck Salmon
Nicholas Carino
March 4, 2013
Gene lived an exceptional life and was role model for so many that followed him. We mourn his loss but celebrate his accomplishments and contributions to society.
March 3, 2013
Gene was a wonderful mentor, colleague and friend since the day I started work in his group at CTL/PCA in 1978. My condolences to Lynd and his family.
Andrew Scanlon, Sedona, AZ
Dustin Daugherty
March 3, 2013
It's kind of humbling... I knew about his work as a structural engineer, and had heard or read his name several times in the professional sense, but I never connected the name to Dad's Uncle Bill, until he called to tell me my great uncle had passed away... God bless, and my prayers go out to the family.
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