Pedro Pinto

ISSMGE Board Member (2017-2022)
Member of European  Academy of Sciences
Consulting of World Bank on Dam Engineering
Former Professor of University of Coimbra
ISSMGE President (2005-2009)
ISSMGE Vice President (2001-2005)
Chairman of TC Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering (1994-2000)

We lost a great Professor, Scientist, and a Man.
It is indeed very difficult to have concentrated all these qualities in one person.

As I am interested in Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering I have learned a lot from his publications.

I had the privilege to interact with Dick, during the ISSMGE Board of 2001- 2005, when he was the VP for North America and I was VP for Europe.
Dick was very active during our meetings and his proposals were always thinking in improving the offer to the Member Societies and to the Individual Members.

Dick was responsible for the Task Force Fees and his main concern was how to help Geotechnical Societies of developing countries, facing economic problems. His formula for the fees reflects this situation.

Dick has contributed to the series of International Conferences on Recent Advances in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics organized by Shamsher Prakash and a Special Session took place in New Delhi, in August 2016, to honor him.

When I was chairman of ISSMGE TC4 “Earthquake Geotechnical Engineering, during 1994-2000, I benefit from his advice.

Also when I was elected ISSMGE President in Osaka, September 2005, I have asked Dick to help me to select the best person to be the Appointed Board Member from North America and he has proposed Prof. John Christian.

I had the opportunity to speak with Dick during the Conferences of other topics, not only Soil Dynamics and he informed me that the famous Phelps was from the University of Michigan.
I had also the privilege to interact with his wife Dixie, an excellent person.
Dick will be always a source of inspiration for the next generations and remembered not only as a Great Professor and Scientist, but also as a very Human Person. Rest in peace.

Warm regards

Pedro Pinto