Dr. Wilfred Kenneth Humphries

Dr. Wilfred Kenneth (Ken) Humphries, 92, passed away on February 4, 2024, in West Columbia, S.C. He was born on July 29, 1931, in Greenville, S.C. and was predeceased by his parents J. C. and Sara Wright Humphries. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1949, graduated with a BS degree in Civil Engineering with honors from the University of South Carolina in 1958. He graduated with a MS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of South Carolina in 1964 and earned a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1966. He also took graduate courses at Ohio State University and the University of Michigan. He was a combat veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Cotten during The Korean War. Dr. Humphries was a consultant and principal for several firms including Foundation Engineering Consultants, Inc., S&ME, Atlanta Testing & Engineering, QORE Properties Sciences, Gage Group, and Terracon Consultants. His Academic career spanned over thirty years. He served as Professor of Engineering for 34 years, and he was Dean of the College of Engineering at USC for nine years. When he retired, he was conferred the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Dean Emeritus of the College of Engineering. Dr. Humphries received many awards, including Engineer of the Year in South Carolina, 1991, the "Order of the Palmetto" awarded by SC Governor Beasley in 1996, American Society of Civil Engineers Government Civil Engineer of the Year Award, 1995-1996, National Society of Professional Engineers Fellow in 2005. "The Letalier Cup" by SC ASCE, and ASCE Fellow. He resided in Blythewood, SC for over 50 years where he was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church and the Columbia Country Club. Dr. Humphries was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many days in the outdoors, traveling, and cutting trees with a chainsaw, and playing golf. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Juanita (Clinkscales) Holcombe, and Eddith Grace (George) Clontz, and brothers, Eddie Milton (Betty) Humphries, Hendri Gordon Coleman (Gloria) Humphries, and John Calvin (Mary) Humphries. He is survived by his wife, Emma Carn Humphries, son, Warren Keith Humphries; and stepchildren, Ronald Allen (Carol) Weathers of Chapin, S.C., Melba Weathers (Perry) Ross of Lexington, S.C., and Sonya Weathers (Travis) Turner of Lexington, S.C. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 pm with a Funeral Service to follow at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 9, 2024, at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Road, Columbia, SC. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Northeast Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Pallbearers will be Gordon Humphries, Herbie Humphries, James Allen Weathers, Jarrett Turner, Michael Skriba, Stanley McCloy. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community, Solutions for Living at Home, and caregivers, Amy Locklear, and Regina Rhodes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the USC W.K. Humphries Family Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund, 301 Main St., 3A43, Columbia, SC 29208.

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Dr. Wilfred Kenneth Humphries

July 29, 1931 - February 4, 2024