The American Society of Plumbing Engineers and the plumbing engineering industry recently lost a pioneer in the profession, Mr. Edward Saltzberg, PE, CPD, FPE, FNAFE, FASPE. Ed was a nationally recognized forensic plumbing expert, mechanical engineer, consultant, and expert witness with more than 50 years of experience in plumbing, process piping, storm drainage, irrigation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire protection, and energy conversation.
Ed was introduced to the world of plumbing at a young age, helping his stepfather, a plumbing contractor who also owned a wholesale plumbing supply house, by digging ditches, laying pipes, and selling products to customers. In high school, he enrolled in the Plumber’s Union Apprenticeship Program, and he participated in one of the country’s first four-year college plumbing engineering programs at Los Angeles City College and California State University, Los Angeles. In 1956, Ed began his career as a mechanical engineer, and he and started his own firm, Edward Saltzberg & Associates, in 1967.
In 1964, Ed joined a group of plumbing engineers and designers in the Los Angeles area to discuss the possibility of starting an organization for plumbing engineers. The first organized meeting was held in the office of John Kerr Associates, with approximately 35 people in attendance. A temporary Interim Committee was established, called the Charter Executive Committee, of which Ed was a member. On September 18, 1964, the original meeting attendees reconvened and voted in the bylaws and slate of officers, and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers was officially registered and incorporated, with Ed serving as the 2nd Vice President.
By 1966, the membership of ASPE had grown sufficiently to warrant the creation of local chapters. At the annual business meeting, the Los Angeles Chapter was officially created, and Ed was named Chapter President.
During his long career, Ed served in many capacities for ASPE, including Society President, and he played a crucial role in fostering upcoming generations of plumbing engineering professionals. In 1992, Ed received the George W. Runkle Award of Merit, the highest recognition presented by the Society, and in 2006 he was presented with the Donald F. Dickerson Founder’s Award. Ed also was a member of the inaugural class of the ASPE Kenneth G. Wentink College of Fellows in 2008.
In recognition of his decades of dedication to ASPE and the plumbing engineering profession, earlier this year ASPE renamed the Distinguished Service Award as the Edward W. Saltzberg Distinguished Service Award, and Ed was the first recipient. “I offer my genuine thanks for all of the important work and desire for success from the beginning of ASPE to this date and many years to come due to the efforts of Edward W. Saltzberg, PE, CPD, FPE, FASPE, FNAFE,” says Billy Smith, FASPE, ASPE Executive Director/CEO.
Ed will be missed by all who benefitted from his years of mentorship and love.
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