Colin McLeod (engineer)
Colin McLeod | |
---|---|
Commissioner of Works | |
In office 1973–1981 | |
Preceded by | Jim Macky |
Succeeded by | Jack Chesterman |
Personal details | |
Born | Norman Colin McLeod 5 August 1921 Auckland, New Zealand |
Died | 6 April 2018 Wellington, New Zealand | (aged 96)
Spouse |
Ella Margaret McEwan
(m. 1946; died 2011) |
Alma mater | Canterbury University College |
Profession | Civil engineer |
Norman Colin McLeod CMG (5 August 1921 – 6 April 2018) was a New Zealand civil engineer, who served as the Commissioner of Works between 1973 and 1981.
Early life and education
McLeod was born in Auckland on 5 August 1921, the son of Norman John Murdoch McLeod, also an engineer, and Eva Mary McLeod (née Ringrose).[1][2] Raised in the Wellington suburb of Karori, he was educated at Wellington College, and went on to study civil engineering at Canterbury University College, graduating BE in 1942.[1][3]
Early career and military service
Following graduation, McLeod initially worked in the Public Works Department, designing coastal defences.[1] In April 1943, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps of New Zealand Engineers, but was decommissioned and sent overseas in January 1944 as a sapper, serving in Italy.[1][4][5] He was again commissioned as a second lieutenant in February 1945,[6] and served as adjutant to Brigadier Fred Hanson.[4] In March 1946, he went to Japan with the 5th Engineer Company as part of J Force.[1]
Post-war family and career
Returning to New Zealand in September 1946, he married Ella Margaret McEwan, and the couple went on to have three children.[1][7][8][9]
McLeod resumed his career with the Ministry of Works, and in 1949 moved to Mangakino, where he rose to become the project engineer for construction of the Waikato River dams.[9] In 1962, McLeod became district commissioner of works in Wanganui.[9] and then, from 1964 to 1966, district commissioner of Works in Hamilton.[10] After an Eisenhower Exchange Fellowship in the United States in 1966, McLeod served as director of the National Water and Soil Conservation Authority from 1966 to 1971.[10] He was appointed Commissioner of Works, succeeding Jim Macky, in 1973,[1][9][11][12] and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1981, when he was succeeded by Jack Chesterman.[13] In the 1981 Queen's Birthday Honours, McLeod was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, in recognition of his service as commissioner.[14]
Later life and death
McLeod's wife, Ella, was active in community activities, including 15 years as a member of the Wellington Hospital Board from 1974 to 1989.[9] In the 1982 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for community service.[15] She died on 20 June 2011.[9]
Colin McLeod died in Wellington on 6 April 2018.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Interview with Colin McLeod". National Library of New Zealand. 2003. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Death search: registration number 2018/9588". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "NZ university graduates 1870–1961: Mc". Shadows of Time. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ a b Houlihan, Mike (7 February 2008). "Unsung heroes tell their stories". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "New Zealand, World War II appointments, promotions, transfers and resignations, 1939–1945". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "New Zealand, World War II appointments, promotions, transfers and resignations, 1939–1945". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Norman McLeod death notice". Dominion Post. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Ella Margaret McLeod". Legacy.com. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f Donoghue, Tim (2 July 2011). "A life story". Dominion Post. p. 26.
- ^ a b "Interview with Colin and Ella McLeod". National Library of New Zealand. 13 September 1988. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ Pickmere, Arnold (28 June 2002). "Obituary: Jim Macky". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Appropriation Bill—Estimates". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 386: 3805. 1973. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Modest engineer powered changes". Manawatu Standard. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "No. 48641". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 1981. p. 43.
- ^ "No. 49010". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 1982. p. 41.
- 1921 births
- 2018 deaths
- New Zealand public servants
- New Zealand civil engineers
- New Zealand Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- University of Canterbury alumni
- New Zealand military personnel of World War II
- People from Auckland
- People educated at Wellington College (New Zealand)
- Wellington Hospital Board members
- People from Wellington City