Fred Campbell McCormick, a former professor in the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering and Applied Science who earned an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from U.Va., died Oct. 23 in Earlysville. He was 87.

McCormick graduated from the University in 1951 and went on to complete his master’s degree in 1953 and his doctorate in 1964 at the University of Michigan.

Immediately after graduating from U.Va., he worked with several engineering firms and projects, including construction of the Savannah River Project in Aiken, S.C., one of the major U.S. facilities used for development of fuels for nuclear-grade military weapons.

In 1955, between his master’s and doctorate degrees, McCormick returned to U.Va.’s Engineering School as an assistant professor of civil engineering. Over nearly 35 years, he became a full professor, published many articles in national and international publications, and reveled in imparting his knowledge and enthusiasm for structural engineering to his students. He retired in 1990.

During his tenure, he worked on projects involving reinforced concrete and fiberglass. He developed a prototype fiberglass bridge for highway use, which was installed by the Virginia Department of Transportation in Southwest Virginia.

McCormick had a long-standing consulting relationship with Morrison Molded Fiber Glass in Bristol, where he worked on innovative commercial structures for several government agencies, including NASA.

A fellow with the American Society of Professional Engineers and a member of the American Concrete Institute, he held professional registrations as a land surveyor and a professional engineer in both Virginia and Maryland. He chaired the Albemarle County Building Code Appeal Board and the Structural Plastics Research Council of American Society of Civil Engineers.

He also appeared as an expert witness in several court cases concerning structural engineering issues.

A memorial service was held Saturday.

Charlottesville Daily Progress obituary