In Memoriam: Steve Sims, AICP9/14/2023 It is in great sadness that we share that Steve Sims, AICP has passed away. Steve had nearly 30 years of professional planning experience in Texas and was the Lead Planner of the Comprehensive Planning Division with the City of Plano. Steve had spent the last 24 years working with the City of Plano in
the Planning Department. Prior to that, Steve worked for the City of Farmers Branch from 1995 to 1999. Steve was actively involved APA-Texas and served as Treasurer of the North Central Section for several terms. Steve was a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he received is Masters in Urban Planning, and the University of Texas at Arlington where he received a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies. Steve grew up in Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Springfield Southeast High School in 1978. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, September 20 at 1:00pm at Allen Family Funeral Options in Plano, Texas.
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Forster Ndubisi, widely lauded as a transformative leader in landscape architecture research and education who served as a department head at the Texas A&M College of Architecture from 2004-2016, passed away March 4, 2022 after a lengthy illness. His survivors include his wife, June Martin, a Texas A&M associate instructional professor of urban planning. Information about funeral services was not immediately available.
“He is a permanent icon in the field of landscape architecture,” said Galen Newman, interim head of the Texas A&M Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. “He was a pioneer of ecological design and theoretical thinking, an irreplaceable, unique, knowledgeable, deep thinker who was loved by many. He was a wonderful mentor, teacher, colleague, friend — a great man.” His numerous awards and honors include his designation as a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects’ Council of Fellows, which recognizes exceptional leadership, knowledge and service in the field for a sustained period of time. Fellowship is one of the highest honors the ASLA bestows on its members. As a department head, Ndubisi’s leadership and hires transformed LAUP into to the most research-productive department in the college and perhaps the most prolific landscape architecture program in the world, said Shannon Van Zandt, executive associate dean of the Texas A&M College of Architecture. Ndubisi also served as a departmental professor, who led an ecological planning and design seminar for graduate students, supervised masters’ theses and doctoral dissertation development, and served on graduate student committees. Ndubisi was an extraordinarily effective administrator who garnered resources during times of budgetary restrictions and innovated new revenue sources for the department, said Van Zandt. “He leaves a legacy within landscape architecture of evidence-based design centered around ecological principles,” she said. “He also leaves a legacy at Texas A&M of inspired leadership and extraordinarily effective administration, along with a joyful spirit and sense of humor.” Ndubisi also helped change many lives through his mentoring. “He saw an individual’s potential, and through his mentoring, helped them fulfill that potential,” said Newman. “He was a superbly wise person who was always willing to share his wisdom with others.“ “He left a lasting impact on many people,” he said. Ndubisi also had a far-reaching, lasting legacy in landscape architecture. “While he was renowned for his ability to decipher and synthesize historical patterns and research findings, Ndubisi also pioneered novel and impactful research agendas,” said Newman. Ndubisi helped lead the movement to better quantify landscape performance, a measure of how effectively landscape design solutions fulfill their intended purpose and contribute to sustainability. This concept, said Newman, has significantly advanced the ability of landscape architects to both determine and publicize the positive benefits and impacts of design. Ndubisi’s published research is required reading in the field, said Newman. “His 2003 book, ‘Ecological Planning: a Historical and Comparative Synthesis,’ has become a staple for all landscape architecture students and faculty interested in the philosophies behind and major contributors to ecological thinking,” he said. “Much of his research is required class reading.” Ndubisi also edited “The Ecological Design and Planning Reader,” a 2014 collection of scholarly works spanning 150 years, from Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden 1854” to an investigation of ecological planning in The Woodlands, Texas. “The collection provides students, scholars, researchers and practitioners with a solid foundation for understanding the relationship between human systems and the natural environment,” states the book’s publisher, Island Press. He advocated for a balance of human activity with ecological concerns — ecological urbanism — for a future of sustainable, resilient, and beautiful places in his book “Ecology in Urban Design and Planning: The Evolution of an Idea,” published in 2021. Ndubisi earned a Ph.D. in Regional Planning & Resource Development at the University of Waterloo in 1987, a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph in 1982 and a Bachelor of Science in Zoology/Ecology at the University of Ibadan in 1977. Tribute Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N6VGKfOuKc https://www.gofundme.com/f/funerary-expenses-for-forster-ndubisi In Memoriam: Dennis Wilson, FAICP4/4/2021 APATX is saddened by the passing of Dennis Wilson, FAICP, MRAIC, CNU-A. Dennis Wilson’s work throughout North America was at the leading edge of integrating physical design with policy planning, standards and ordinances. His urban design and planning skills helped transform Toronto’s industrial waterfront into a world class destination, and as a Planning Director, led Dallas’s City Center renaissance and transit-oriented development. He was inducted into the FAICP in 2008. Please share below a memory of Dennis or a message for his friends and family.
Sara Jane Westbrook White passed away peacefully at home on July 12, 2020 at age 84, from complications following a fall. She was surrounded by her family and beloved husband of 42 years, Dr. Robert E. White. She was a beautiful person who, throughout her life, quietly set a strong example to her family and friends of faith, determination, and integrity. The only child of Mary Frances Stevens Westbrook and Charles A. Westbrook, Sara Jane Westbrook was born in Waco, Texas in 1936. Her family soon moved to San Antonio, where her father established the Westbrook Lumber Company. Sara Jane graduated from Alamo Heights High School, followed by two years at Mary Washington College in Virginia. There she developed an early interest in social justice and urban issues triggered by the Civil Rights movement. In 1955, at age 20, she married high school classmate Frank Blair Warren in San Antonio and began her family. In 1968, with three active children, Sara Jane enrolled at Incarnate Word to complete her college degree, followed by a scholarship to Trinity University for a Master's in Urban Planning, awarded in 1972. Sara Jane then worked for six years in San Antonio as a city planner, where she coordinated the River Corridor Committee tasked with revitalizing the historic downtown. Tipped off to a new source of federal economic development funding by Mayor Lila Cockrell, Sara Jane wrote the grant application that secured unexpected major funding for the new Olmos Dam. With downtown flood control thus ensured, further development grants could be approved that allowed the River Walk to become the centerpiece of San Antonio culture that it is today. Her first marriage having ended, in 1978 Sara Jane met and married Austin native Dr. Robert Elliott White and joined him in Sugar Land, Texas. She continued her planning career, working ten years for the City of Bellaire. Subsequently she consulted for small towns and special projects, and during that time was instrumental in developing the zoning in Houston's Third Ward, enabling the culturally impactful Project Row Houses. Not quite finished with higher education, in 1994 she was awarded a PhD in Political Science from Rice University. Sara Jane was active in numerous professional planning organizations. She was a charter member of the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association and served as Chapter president. In 2000 she was inducted in New York to the American Institute of Certified Planners as a fellow -- a high career honor -- and she also held leadership roles in the American Planning Association (APA) and volunteered as an advisor to other planning organizations. A seminal event in Sara Jane's life was the loss of her younger son, John William Warren, to brain cancer in 2004. In her efforts to come to terms with the loss, she wrote and published a book, "John's Story," which has been a comfort to other sufferers of that terrible disease. As a longtime member of Christ Church Sugar Land, Sara Jane volunteered as a Stevens Minister, supported a women's prison ministry and enjoyed trips with Bob and the choir to perform around Europe. Not being endowed with a strong singing voice, Sara Jane would quietly sing along in order to enjoy the trips with her husband and choir friends. She also attended Sweetwater Christian Church with Bob. Sara Jane was active with the YMCA Texas Youth and Government, and volunteered as an academic mentor for Fort Bend County schools, for Fertile Ground Redemption Transformation Center, and was a long-time participant in the Houston Junior League Transfer sustainers' group. In later years she sustained a strong interest in her family history, tracing several family genealogies back to the Revolutionary War. Bob and Sara Jane enjoyed traveling with friends and also spent time in their San Antonio condo with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her childhood friends, the Alamo Heights Belles. The Whites also sipped and socialized with their long-time wine tasting group and several other lasting associations including their Koinonia group, a Bible Study, and an academic book club focused on the work of C.S. Lewis. Sara Jane was a lovely lady with a beautiful smile, and as her health faded, the smile stayed, always there as a sweet welcome to all. She is survived by her loving husband Dr. Robert E. White, children Sally Warren and husband Jeff Jackson of Dallas, West and Dana Warren of San Antonio, Lisa Warren of Sugar Land, Rene and Houshyar Moarefi of Houston, Kim and Tate Erlinger of Austin, Scott and Kristal White of Houston, grandchildren Mary Kaitlin Motley, Carly Warren, Lydia Jackson, Will Jackson, Matthew Warren, Sara Haddox, Michael Warren, and Henry Erlinger. She also was blessed with five bouncing great-grandchildren. Due to covid-19, private viewings may be arranged by appointment at Stettegast-Kopf funeral home in Sugar Land, 281-565-5015. A private family service will be held on Wed 7/15, followed by interment at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to: Texas A&M Health Science Center, note “John W. Warren Brain Tumor Fund” on memo line, and mail to Department of Neuroscience, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807. Texas Oral History Project - Sara White, FAICP Please share any memories or kind words below in the comments section:
Richard "Dick" Lillie was a much loved and revered icon of planning in Texas. For 40 years he exuded consummate professionalism. His list of professional accomplishments and services is laudable and noteworthy. But the mentoring impact that Dick has had on professionals and academics is downright astonishing. Inducted into the College of Fellows of AICP in 2000. Dick is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nelda Lillie; their daughters Suzanne Hill (husband David) of Cedar Park, Texas and Julianne Lillie of Austin, Texas; 3 grandchildren, Kathryn Hill, Wolf Pauley and Kayleigh Pauley (fiancé Will); 2 great-grandchildren Daeona Kingston and Malakii Dawson. He is also survived by his brothers, Bob Lillie (wife Sharon) of Decorah, Iowa, John Lillie (wife Claire) of Bryan, Texas, and sister-in-law Joan Lillie of Everett, Washington. OBITUARY: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=richard-ransom-lillie&pid=196421076 Virtual Celebration of Life Service to be held: Date: July 8th, 10am To join in, go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84020480411?pwd=eEwweDRWTW1wOVY1MzJNaVEvMlFmdz09 Meeting ID and Password:
Texas Oral History Project - Dick, Lillie, FAICP Read about Dick's illustrious planning career and accomplishments!Please share any memories or kind words below in the comments section:In Memoriam: Rick Mobley (1958-2020)4/15/2020 Rick Mobley, AICP, ASLA, FITEHis work in the consulting industry served clients across the US including TXDOT and other state DOT's, MPO's and regional and local governmental entities across the country. His work has resulted in improved mobility, enhanced quality of life and improved economic performance for the clients he served since he graduated from Texas A&M University with his BS in Landscape Architecture and his Masters of Urban Transportation Planning. Rick had over 38 years of experience in conducting and managing major transportation, site development, urban planning, and design projects across the U.S. He specialized in development of multi-modal transportation solutions for complex single-site developments as well as planning for transportation and design solutions at a regional, multi-state and national level. A unique background in Landscape Architecture and Urban Transportation Planning offered Rick the ability to provide a perspective on transportation solutions few possess. His experience covered all aspects of development and redevelopment including site planning and design, traffic access and circulation, pedestrian and bicycle facility planning and design, transit facility and service planning, parking facility demand analysis and design for specific sites as well as major generators such as CBD's, stadiums, universities, convention centers, hospitals, and hotels. Please share any memories or kind words below in the comments section: |