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Herbert Malcom Obituary
He was born in Greensboro, NC, on January 24, 1936, to Edna Alligood Malcom and Herbert Rooney Malcom. He grew up in Rocky Mount, NC, attending Rocky Mount City schools having some outstanding teachers. He served in the 3rd Cavalry of the U.S. Army. He graduated from NC State College in 1963 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He received his PhD from NC State University in 1973 and joined the Faculty of Civil Engineering teaching Water Resources, Hydrology, Hydraulics and Urban Storm Water Design and Management. He retired Professor Emeritus in 2004. Teaching was his God given gift, calling and passion. One of the honors dearest to him was the Outstanding Faculty Award by the CE Seniors in 1981. In addition to teaching at NCSU, he taught short courses all over the country and professional engineer exam reviews. He consulted extensively in NC as well as VA, FL, MD, TX and WA. He consulted for McKim and Creed after retirement. Among his NCSU honors were Academy of Outstanding Teachers, Outstanding Extension Award and from the NC Section of ASCE Outstanding Civil Engineer 1994.
He was an active member of West Raleigh Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Malcom is survived by his dear wife of 45 years, Nona Malcom; and his beloved daughters, Julie Trotter and husband, Brian of Beavercreek, OH, and Liz Cooke and husband, Rocky of Cary, NC; granddaughters, Sarah Moore and husband, Matt of Beavercreek, OH, Brittany Trotter of Beavercreek, OH, and Mary Elizabeth Cooke of Cary, NC were precious to him.
He loved his students, friends and colleagues and they loved him. We will all treasure our memories of him, his faith, his teaching and his stories.
The family thanks Dr. William Dunlap, MD, Lee, Zachia and Tendai for their care, and numerous friends for their help and support.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 8, 2007, 1:00 p.m. at West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC.
In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to Hospice of Wake County 1300 St. Mary's Street, Suite 400 Raleigh, NC 27605 or Habitat for Humanity of Wake County 2400 Alwin Ct., Raleigh, NC 27604.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Herbert Malcom
DUNCAN BROATCH
March 24, 2024
For some unknown reason I just had an urge to reminisce my days at NCSU and Rooney came to mind. He was a great, caring, devoted teacher, counselor and professor I will always be grateful for. Albeit the years have clicked by however memories prevail. Rooney took me under his wing in 1979 with special care as I had a BS degree in soil and water science, hydrology, from Univ of NH which was right down his alley and he helped get me into the graduate program. Stormwater engineering was his forte and during any large event you could find Rooney tearing around measuring and observing conduit capacities, laminar flow and runoff volumes. Those were great times with fellow scholars Kevin Caldwell, Russ Briggs, Joe and others. I went on to use Rooney's notes in my first job doing flood studies, then I made a career in hydropower. Rooney, thank you for being a big part of my life and your very special devotion and guidance which I will never forget.
Gordon Rose
September 20, 2007
Rooney was, without a doubt, one of the top two professors I ever had. He had a way of making his work practical, such as his reminder that "we ain't makin' watches". But he was more than an engineer and a professor. He was a true gentleman and a great friend. He touched a lot of lives in his time here.
Patty Quinlivan
September 14, 2007
I just wanted to let Dr Malcom's family know that they will be in my prayers. Dr Malcom was one of my favorite professors at State and I learned so much from him. His classes were so practical and taught you techniques that you could use in the real world. I'm so sad to hear that he has passed away, but I know that he's made a big impression on so many people's lives.
Gray Steifel
September 8, 2007
"Roon", as we called him, was a highly respected brother in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraterity at N.C. State. On behalf of all the brothers who knew him, we extend our heart felt sympathy to your family.
Gray Steifel NC State '64
Joseph Dalton
September 7, 2007
Anyone that knew Dr. Malcom can surely attest to his knowledge and his professionalism. Howevever, what made him such a blessing was the genuine concern and love he had for people and for life in general. He will forever be one of the most positive influences in thousands of people's lives. A scholar and a patriot.
Chip Chescheir
September 7, 2007
I am one of the blessed engineers to have been a student and colleague of Dr. Malcom. I am very fortunate to have benefited from that warm teaching style that passed so much practical knowledge to me and a multitude of other students. I am comforted in knowing that his knowledge, wisdom and kindness will live on in the hearts and minds of his students and associates.
I bet that he already has a good practical solution for that storm water problem in heaven.
Matt Hogan
September 7, 2007
I was a student of Dr. Malcom's 28 years ago. I have nothing but fond memories of him and the utmost respect for him as a teacher and as a person. He will be missed by all of his students.
Steve Swartz
September 6, 2007
Among treasured friends, Rooney ranks at the top of my list. Since graduate school in 1971, I have been referring to his unique insights and our fishing memories. We are poorer for loss of Rooney, but far richer by having known him.
Jerry Dalton
September 6, 2007
I consider Dr. Malcolm a friend and vow never to let my memories of him fade. Surely, all those who have studied under him or have been around him for any significant amount time, consider themselves better people for the experience. My family has been doubly blessed by Dr. Malcolm because my son, Joseph, also studied under him and considered him a friend. I treasure the photo made of the three of us at Joseph’s graduation. May God truly bless his family for all the good he has done.
Mona Ellum
September 5, 2007
What else can be said that hasn't already been said? Dr. Malcom was a wonderful teacher and person; I learned more from him than probably any other professor I ever had. He would have loved to know that I passed along many of his great shortcuts and tricks to my co-workers in CT who never had the pleasure of learning from him.
My thoughts are with his family.
Will Wilhelm
September 5, 2007
Dr. Malcolm was my teacher and friend. His influence on my career was greater than any teacher in my life. “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops (Henry Adams)”
Kent Loftin
September 5, 2007
Nonie, Julie, Liz, and other family members, no words can express my sympathy for you and the sadness I feel on hearing of Rooney’s passing. Like the other remembrances in this guest book, Rooney was an influence in my life that I will be forever grateful. Beyond his extraordinary, one-of-a-kind teaching skills, he was the most kind and decent human being one could ever hope to know. He shared his life in ways that still guide mine today. My only regret is that the distance between us since my graduation kept me from seeing him as often as I would have liked. He is gone but will never be forgotten. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
Joe Glass
September 5, 2007
A true friend and professional to everyone he came in contact with. He was an excellent teacher and inspiration to all of his students. His knowledge and influence will forever be with many engineers.
Guy Peters
September 5, 2007
I have lost count of the number of young engineers with whom I have shared Rooney's reminder "We're not makin' watches, we're just totin' water." I will carry that lesson and many others through to the end of my career and beyond. I was blessed beyond measure to have been a student of Rooney's at NCSU and later in numerous workshops. Every encounter with Rooney began with a warm greeting and never failed to bring many smiles and laughter. "I thank my God in every remembrance of you." - Phil. 1:3
George Eller
September 5, 2007
As teacher, mentor, colleague and friend, Rooney Malcom has guided and influenced thousands among the Civil Engineering profession. Many of the dams, roads and bridges that we depend on today stand strong because of the knowledge and wisdom that he has shared. We will be poorer because of his absence. I count myself lucky to have known him.
Scott Harrell
September 5, 2007
A word of thanks to Dr. Malcom's family -- he obviously had your love and support to be able to teach so passionately. Personally, he was a great influence and source of support for me as my engineering career developed, and also in our conversations about things other than storm drainage...
Thanks, Rooney.
Chip Hartzog
September 5, 2007
I was saddened to hear of Dr. Malcolm's passing. His daughter Liz is an extremely knowledgeable, generous, and thoughtful person -- and after reading about Dr. Malcolm's impressive professional achievements and his rich family life, I know exactly where Liz acquired her gifts. His legacy will live forever through his children and grandchildren. Dr. Malcolm must be as proud of his family as they are of him.
Liz, I am among many people who are holding you and your family up high. May you, your Mom, and your entire family find peace and healing with each day to come.
God bless,
Chip Hartzog
David Vaughn
September 5, 2007
Many Professionals are guided by the teachings of Rooney, now we have a guardian angel to watch over the Profession.
Steve & Tonya Cavanaugh
September 4, 2007
Dr. Malcom was a man who recognized his gift of teaching and will be missed by all of those he touched and imparted the ability to think and work it out. He honored us as married students and delivered the honary goodwife award to Tonya at graduation. He is smiling today as each student enters the engineering profession with a passion for the liquid of life.
Danny Bowden
September 4, 2007
My sympathy goes out to all family, friends, and students of Dr. Malcom. He was my mentor as well as a mentor to many others. His many contributions to the stormwater engineering profession will be present forever. I will miss him dearly and will never forget the positive impacts he had on my life and career.
Mark Stephens
September 4, 2007
Rooney Malcom was not only a teacher, he was a mentor and a father to all of his students. His caring nature will live on as a memory to us all. Our lives and our future have been enriched by knowing and learning from Rooney. May God bless his family for sharing him with us!
Chuck McDonald
September 4, 2007
Rooney was one of the neatest individuals I have ever met. He was very knowledgeable, but down-to-earth and funny.
Bill Hunt
September 4, 2007
I
am shocked and saddened to hear of Dr. Malcom's passing. He was such a
good mentor to me and countless others. Because of Rooney, I decided to
pursue a career in water resources management. His love of teaching was
infectious. In his memory, we will dedicate several of our upcoming
stormwater workshops to him. God bless Rooney and his entire family.
The stormwater world has lost its icon.
Richard Rohrbaugh
September 4, 2007
Dr Malcom is the best teacher of any subject I ever saw. I will always be thankful that I took his classes and got to know him. He had a remarkable gift and I thank God he chose to share it with all of us. The University, all the many people he touched, and those of us he taught benefit today from all he gave.
Adam Snipes
September 4, 2007
Not only was Dr. Malcom a wonderful teacher, he was also an inspiration ot his students. He was always available to answer questions, and always knew the right thing to say if things weren't going your way. I am sure he is in heaven telling everyone about how Crabtree Mall floods. Rest in Peace my friend.
Billy Williams
September 4, 2007
It is rare to meet someone who passionately loves life, treasures every moment as a gift, and lives each moment well. For those of us blessed to have shared some of these moments with Dr. Malcom, we know without a doubt that he truly was such a man. Although there is much sorrow in his passing, it is also right and fitting that we celebrate a life well-lived and a beautiful legacy that will long endure.
Harold and Lucinda Denton
September 4, 2007
Harold and Lucinda Denton send dearest love and deepest sympathy. We were classmates at Rocky Mount High School and Harold and Rooney were close friends at NC State. We enjoyed being with Rooney and Nona at the last RMHS class reunion and remember his charming manner and enjoyment of life. He was a great asset in all of his endeavors and we will miss his presence in Raleigh.
Kevin Caldwell
September 4, 2007
I graduated in 1977 with a BS and Rooney suggested I attend graduate school, which I did and finished in 1979. During my graduate studies, I had the pleasure of working with Rooney on a research project and as a graduate assistant for his 383 classes. I will never forget (and I don't think he will either) I was taking a class that Rooney was teaching. I turned in a paper and failed to sign it and he signed it "Jones" because at the time he couldn't remember my name. He was a great man.
Patty Hilburn
September 4, 2007
Dr. Malcom was a remarkable person as well as a remarkable professor. He will be missed by the hydrology engineers that he helped to mold.
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