Lasting Memories

Joseph B. Franzini
Nov. 10, 1920-April 15, 2015
Palo Alto, California

Joseph B. Franzini -- beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend of many -- passed away peacefully on April 15, 2015, in Palo Alto.

Joe was a friendly, intelligent, active man who was genuinely interested in others, always ready with a gentle chuckle and kind word. With his positive attitude, warm smile and lifelong curiosity, he could connect to people from all walks of life. As a professor, Joe was highly respected for his knowledge, experience and love of civil engineering.

Joe was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on November 10, 1920, to Joseph Bernard, and Mary Widmann Franzini, both of whom were from St. Louis, Missouri. In his mid-teens, Joe's family moved to Pasadena, California, where he graduated from high school, and attended the California Institute of Technology, to earn his B.S. and M.S. degrees in civil engineering.

Graduating in the midst of World War II, he immediately followed college with U.S. Navy service. He went on to serve during World War II as a Lieutenant Junior Grade, and worked in the communications center of the Battleship USS New York. He saw action throughout the Pacific Theater, including the Battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

After the war, Joe married his sweetheart, Gloria Place, and moved to the Palo Alto area while he pursued his Ph.D. in civil engineering at Stanford University. After graduation, Joe was hired by the Civil Engineering Department, and taught fluid mechanics and water resources engineering there for 36 years.

Before retirement, Joe revised his co-authored engineering textbooks. Two of his most notable works are "Water Resources Engineering," and "Fluid Mechanics with Engineering Applications." The water resources book, which is used throughout the world, is recognized as one of the most authoritative technical publications in its field.

For over 30 years, Dr. Franzini served as a special consultant to the George S. Nolte and Associates civil engineering firm. Professor Franzini worked on many water projects in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, and served as a consultant to many government agencies and private organizations, both in this country and abroad. His experience in professional practice added considerably to the scope of his teaching, as he could bring real world problems and their solutions into the classroom. On his retirement it was mentioned that one of his major strengths was his connection with his students and his ability to guide them into successful careers.

Joe and Gloria raised four children, Joe Jr., Bob, Marilyn and Cheryl. They were members of the First Congregational Church, and Joe taught Sunday school, ushered and served on many of the church boards. He actively supported Boy Scout Troop 59, and helped his sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

He traveled to Europe along with the Congregational Church Choir (Gloria was a member), experiencing other cultures and sharing their love of music. He enjoyed helping his wife as the 'equipment and sound man' for her charitable singing career with the Unicorn's Big Band. Over the years at sites across the USA, they attended many USS New York (BB-34) Naval reunions.

In 1994, Dr. Franzini received the Ray K. Linsley Award from the American Institute of Hydrology honoring "the accomplishments of a giant in the field of hydrology." In the same year, he was inducted into the Silicon Valley Engineering Council Hall of Fame for his professional accomplishments.

Joe was a storyteller who loved to share his boyhood stories with his children. He was a 'people person,' who enjoyed outings and activities. He called his wife "the loveliest and prettiest lady in the whole world." He loved to sing in the shower, and one of his favorite expressions that usually came with a wink, and was a part of Joe's happy demeanor, was "You bet!"

The family would especially like to thank Joe's longtime caregiver Edguardo DeVilla for the loyal and loving care he gave to him for over four years.

Joe is survived by his wife of 68 years, Gloria; his sons, J.B. Franzini of Sonoma, California and Robert Franzini (Carolyn Franzini) of Morehead, Kentucky; his daughters, Marilyn (Blake Putney) of Palo Alto, and Cheryl (Herb Pegan) of Glen Ellen, California; five grandchildren, Maria, Benjamin, Laura, Jenni and Sam; three great-grandchildren, Theodore, Oliver and William; and a sister-in-law, Sylvia Norris. The memory of a good man is a blessing forever.