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Donald R. Lawrence – Mechanical Engineer

The following is a continuation of articles featuring the life of San Joaquin Valley ASHRAE members. This article features Donald R. Lawrence, Mechanical Engineer.

Don’s father was a supervisor for Texaco in the oil fields of Taft. His Dad would not hire Don because he thought Don should be where he would not have any special treatment.

So Don obtained a job with Honolulu Oil Company, working June-September during his high school years. He worked as a roustabout, digging trenches and moving pipe. Engineers who visited the oil fields wore knickers. Don thought knickers were really “cool” and wanted to be a person who wore them too. So Don set out to be an engineer.

World War II came along and Don was part of the troops. After the war, he attended Cal Poly on the GI Bill. He graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering.

After graduation, he joined the Baker Newman Company in Modesto, CA, as a junior plumber and pipe fitter. He installed mechanical systems for hospitals, schools and public buildings. It was rare to have a college graduate as part of a Pipe Fitters Union. He was employed with Baker Newman for three years.

Harold Hayes, Dean of the Cal Poly School of Engineering, heard about Don working as a pipe fitter. He felt that a person with a degree and practical experience would make a great teacher. Don was hired as a Professor and taught HVAC and plumbing for three years at Cal Poly. Don recalls that one of his students, Costas Econamu, was one of the most brilliant individuals he ever knew. Costas became a very wealthy contractor.

In 1955, Don accepted the opportunity to be Vice Present and Chief Engineer for Conditioned Air, a mechanical contracting firm in Fresno. Don had the opportunity to work with Nat Leas, John Rowden, Don Enn, Jim Van Camp and many others. Significant projects designed and constructed by Conditioned Air include Sacred Heart Hospital – Hanford, St. Agnes Medical Center - Fresno, and Kaweah Delta Hospital – Visalia.

Don was active in the San Joaquin Valley Chapter of ASHRAE. He worked through the Officer Chairs from 1969 through 1972 and was Chapter President 1972-1973.

In 1977, after 20 years in contracting, Don took the opportunity to join Jim Blaney, Mechanical/Electrical Engineer, in the consulting business at the TW Patterson Building, Suite 323. Unfortunately, Jim Blaney was ill with multiple-sclerosis and was not able to continue a partnership after one year.

Don worked to grow the firm and asked Gilbert Nye to join in
1977 and Steve Becker in 1979. The firm name became
Donald R. Lawrence and Associates. Don continued as President of the Company until his retirement in 1990. Significant projects designed by Donald R. Lawrence and Associates include CUSD – Kastner Intermediate School, Manchester Center expansion, St. Agnes West Wing, Kaweah Delta East Wing and Buchanan Education Center. Seven of the employees that were part of the firm in 1980 remain part of the company today.

After retiring from Donald R. Lawrence and Associates, Don
enjoyed his yacht in the Delta and RV travel.

He lives in Fresno with his wife Teri and enjoys his grandchildren on a regular basis.

Information obtained by Gilbert L. Nye, P.E., FASHRAE –
Historian SJVC ASHRAE