John L. Merriam

Background

Merriam, John L. was born on November 27, 1911 in Corona, California, United States. Son of George H. and Bessie (Baird) Merriam.

Education

Associate of Arts, San Bernardino Valley College, 1932. Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1938.

Career

Registered civil, agricultural engineer, California Engineer, Soil Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, California, 1939-1956. Senior irrigation engineer Ralph M. Parsons Company, Saudi Arabia, 1956-1958. Professor California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1958-1978.

Private practice consultant, irrigation engineer, Sri Lanka, India, Canada, Mexico, Egypt, Pakistan, Tunisia, United States of America, since 1978. Cons.FAO, Saudi Arabia, 1969. Peace Corps trainer, Thailand, 1971.

Visiting professor Katholieke U., Leuven, Belgium, 1982.

Achievements

• Achievements include establishing endowments for irrigation and water management and for the Fund for Furthering Flexible Irrigation at California Polytechnic State University and the Merriam Irrigation Education Foundation.

Membership

Member advisory committee County Flood Control Commission, San Luis Obispo, 1973-1978, California State Office Water Conservation, Sacramento, 1980-1986. Fellow American Society of Civil Engineers (various offices, Royce J. Tipton award 1979, Outstanding Service award 1994), American Society Agricultural and Biological Engineers (Engineer of Year 1981/California, Kishida International award 2003, Funded award for advancement of surface irrigation, soil and water student award), California Irrigation Institute (president 1967-1968, Engineer of Year 1980). Member International Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, United States Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (funded Merriam Irrigation Improvement award).

Connections

Married Sarah Elizabeth Gridley, October 2, 1938. Children: Andrew G., Elisabeth Merriam Farley.

Father:

George H. Merriam

Mother:

Bessie (Baird) Merriam

Spouse:

Sarah Elizabeth Gridley

child:

Elisabeth Merriam Farley Merriam

child:

Andrew G. Merriam