Memorial Day, May 27, 2013, Roald Haestad, P.E., age 90, died peacefully at his home in Washington, CT. A loving husband and father, Roald "Ralph" Haestad was Chairman Emeritus of Roald Haestad, Inc., a Waterbury, CT based Civil Engineering firm, where he worked daily until his passing. Born in Kristiansand, S. Norway, he was active in the Norwegian resistance during WWII and recognized by the British Admiralty for his service. As a result of his distinguished war efforts shortly after the war he was offered US citizenship and a scholarship in the Civil Engineering program at City College of NY (CCNY). Further prompted by Norway's post-war newly elected Labour Party's pledge to embrace socialism, he left Norway to pursue his dreams and ambitions in a free, capitalist America. He met the one and only love of his life, Jean Munson, soon after he arrived in America. They were married and from that day forward were never apart. Jean was his best friend, confidante, and his business manager extraordinaire. They were a match made in heaven. He became a Principal at Malcolm Pirnie Engineers where he was the Lead Project Engineer for the construction of a host of very large earthen embankment dams including the Upper Shepaug Reservoir (Cairns Dam), Chamberlain Dam, Mill River and Trinity Dams. During his life he personally managed all aspects of dam related analysis and engineering for over 200 dams throughout the region ensuring their safe and effective operation and longevity. His dams have been a reliable and safe source of water and flood control for many New England and Mid Atlantic communities and will stand as monuments to his life's work for centuries to come. He founded Roald Haestad, Inc. Civil Engineering in 1971 with his wife Jean, and they quickly gained a reputation for very high quality work and innovative engineering which remains the hallmark of his firm to this day. Located in Waterbury, CT, Roald Haestad, Inc. (RHI) is well known and highly regarded for many significant public works engineering projects throughout New England including investigations, studies, reports, design through construction of major water supply and distribution projects, dams, sewerage projects, drainage, roadways and bridges, structures, soil analysis, and foundation investigations. Mr. Haestad was a Fellow and Life Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (AAEE). He was a Life Member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and a member of many professional societies including the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), the Canadian Dam Safety Association, the New England Water Works Association, the International Water Supply Association, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the Society of American Military Engineers, the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the Association of State Flood Plain Managers. He was past president of the CT Section National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and an NSPE Board Member; recipient of the Fuller Award and the Benjamin Wright Award from the CT Sections of the American Water Works Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers, respectively. Mr. Haestad advanced knowledge and technology in his field by participating in many conferences and seminars worldwide including those held by the US/International Committee on Large Dams in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Chile, San Francisco CA, Denver CO, Phoenix AZ, Raleigh NC, and Chattanooga TN; Engineering Foundation Seminars on dam safety in Henniker NH and Monterey CA; FEMA/CT DEP Southern New England Dam Safety Conferences in Connecticut; the Association of State Dam Safety Officials' conferences in the Poconos PA, Austin TX, Jackson MI, and Albuquerque NM; and the Canadian Dam Safety Association conferences in British Columbia and Newfoundland, among others.
Second only to his love for his wife and family, Ralph lived for work where his passion was finding graceful solutions to complicated engineering challenges. An inspiring leader and mentor for many fellow engineers in his lifetime, his strong work ethic, intense ability to focus, and application of creative intelligence define his legacy.
His close management style, openness to innovation, and attention to engineering project detail endeared him to his loyal clients and his devoted employees. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Jean Munson Haestad; his children Randi, Cynthia, and John; his grandchildren Kristi, Justin, Jace, Jaime, Jessie, and Sara; his great grandchildren Maia, Logan, Samantha, and Danielle, and his many clients and colleagues from over six decades of service to the Civil Engineering profession. Very special thanks to the wonderful caregivers from Northwest Homecare, Inc. and the New Milford VNA nurses who made his final days comfortable.

Cemetery: Cemetery Not Applicable

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: Memorial gatherings will be held at the Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School Street, Woodbury, CT on Thursday June 6th, 2013 from 11: 00am-1: 00pm and 5: 00pm-7: 00pm.

Visitation: Memorial gatherings will be held at the Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School Street, Woodbury, CT on Thursday June 6th, 2013 from 11: 00am-1: 00pm and 5: 00pm-7: 00pm. Following the gathering Thursday, the family will have a reception at 7p.m. at Carol Peck's Good News Café©, Woodbury.