Spottlight on Walter E. Spotts

“Engineers are plotters of direction and measurements – on land, sea, in the air and of all physical things. And in a sense, navigators to set a course to solve earthly problems. We are concerned with the direction from which the wind blows and advise our clients so that they might avoid the dangers of unexpected storms.”

Walter Spotts is the namesake for Spotts in Spotts, Stevens and McCoy.

Walter E. Spotts received technical training in the field of engineering at the Keystone Institute in Reading, having completed study in 1922. From this time until 1932, he was employed by William H. Dechant and Sons, Reading. A highlight of his employment was the layout of the Susquehanna Pipe Line from Chester PA to Syracuse, New York.

From 1932 to 1961, Mr. Spotts served as Owner and President of Walter E. Spotts and Associates. During these years, the firm provided consulting engineering services for nearly 40 municipalities. In 1961, the company was incorporated into the firm of Spotts Engineering Associates, Inc. and later merged with Stevens and McCoy, Inc. in 1970.

Through the years, Mr. Spotts received many awards and honors, including the PSPE - Reading Chapter "Engineer of the Year" award in 1963 and the Crostwaite Award (1961) and Outstanding Service Award (1971) from the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs. Mr. Spotts was a member of the Pennsylvania Water Pollution Control Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

In addition to his engineering accomplishments, Mr. Spotts was also noted in the community for his activities as a bandleader and for his work in the Rajah Temple.

Wally Spotts (middle) with survey crew on Main Street in Kutztown PA.