Oct. 15, 2015
Lee Hudson Matlock, professor emeritus in the department of civil, architectural and environment engineering at The University of Texas at Austin died on Thursday, October 8, 2015 in Lakewood, Colorado. Matlock was a wonderful and gentle man, an important part of our department’s history and a highly accomplished engineer.
Hudson Matlock received his B.S. in civil engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 1947, followed by his M.S. in 1950. He began his teaching career at UT Austin in 1947 as an Instructor, and served as Chairman of the Department of Civil Engineering from 1972-1976.
He retired as a Professor in 1976 and was Professor Emeritus in Civil Engineering. He taught courses in materials, experimental mechanics, and soil mechanics, and was the favorite professor of many generations of students.
His research and consulting activities were primarily focused on offshore structures and their foundations. Matlock was a true pioneer in the development of offshore platforms, first for radar installations and then for oil production facilities. He was internationally known for his publications on offshore structures and foundations.
After retiring from teaching at UT Austin, Matlock became Vice-President for Research and Development at the Earth Technology Corporation in Long Beach, California. He retired from Earth Technology in 1985 and has since been a consulting engineer until the present.
Matlock has been involved in numerous engineering societies and activities, including Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi, Fellow 1947-48. He received the Offshore Technology Conference Distinguished Achievement Award for Individuals (with Dr. Lymon Reese) in 1985.
He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1982, and was named a Distinguished Engineering Graduate by the College of Engineering, UT Austin, in 1986. He was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, and a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the Matlock Family suggests that any contributions in their father’s name be sent to a favorite charity, a local hospice, or the Hudson Matlock Professorship Fund in CAEE.
