Category
Practitioner
Born
1915
Died
1975
Career Began
1939
Retired
1975
Contributions to Structural Engineering History in Northern California

“The future is bright and the civil and structural engineer’s position is excellent for stepping in as a leader and coordinator of this new technology. We must widen our perspective so that these opportunities become visible.” John M. Sardis, SEAONC President’s Message, February 10, 1961

John M. Sardis was born on December 20, 1915 in Modesto, California. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1939 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduation he worked for Bechtel Engineering before leaving to start his own structural engineer practice, John Sardis & Associates in 1958. For over thirty-five years, John practiced structural engineering working on projects such as 1200 Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland, Pacific Heights Towers in San Francisco, Arlington Towers in Reno and Blyth Memorial Ice Arena (1960 Winter Olympics) in Squaw Valley.  He was also very active in the structural engineering community, serving as president of SEAONC in 1961 and SEAOC in 1963.  Unfortunately, John died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 59 in October 1975.

Awards & Accomplishments
  • SEAONC President (1961)
  • SEAOC President (1963)
Related Engineer(s)
Related Structure(s)