Texas Transportation Researcher, Volume 37, Number 2, 2001 Page: 8
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A tribute to Charley Wootan
Texas and the nation lost one of its greatest citizens March 24,2001. A giant in the field
of transportation, a devoted family man, an influential mentor and educator, a beloved
friend to so many-Dr. Charley Wootan, director emeritus of the Texas Transportation
Institute (TTI), passed away at his home after a long battle with cancer. Dr. Wootan's
accomplishments in the transportation and education communities, and his outstand-
ing human character, are best illustrated by the heartfelt words of his friends and col-
leagues as they have shared their thoughts and memories through a remembrance page
on the TTI web site (http://tti.tamu.edu). His lifetime contributions to the state of Texas
and the nation are so massive in number and significance-they could easily span abook. A standard profile article in this newsletter really
cannot do him justice. So using the words of those who
knew and loved him, and historical photos collected
here at TTI through the years, this feature presents an
overview of his career in transportation and education,
what he did for TTI, and who he was as a person. Our
hope is that it will stand as a tribute to Dr. Wootan, his
family and his memory.
In honor of his memory
Father of 2. Grandfather of 5. Beloved husband of 50
years to Doxie. Golfer. Fisherman. Hunter. Gardener andIj
~ --
- -expert steak connoisseur. Hundreds attended Dr. Wootan's funeral services on March 27,
as well as an April 24 memorial celebration of his life. There, Dr. Herb Richardson pre-
sented the Wootan family with a resolution from the Senate of the State of Texas, 77th Leg-
islature extending its sincere condolences to the bereaved family and stating that when
it "adjourns this day it willdo so in memory of Char-
ley V. Wootan." Speakers
included former engineer-
director of TxDOT Mark
Goode, current Executive
Director Wes Heald, Direc-
tor of the Transportation
Research Board's (TRB)
Cooperative Research Pro-
grams, Bob Reilly, and five
longtime TTI employees,
many of whom worked with
Wootan for over 25 years.
In his closing remarks,
Dr. Dennis Christiansen, TTI
deputy director announcedthe
creation of the Charles J. "Jack" Keese - Charley V. Wootan Memorial Fellowship Fund
(see related item on p. 11). He also shared the contents of a letter from John W. Johnson,
chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission:
"Texas owes a great debt of gratitude to Charley. We are proud of our transportation
system and we know that it is a system without peer. We should be - and are equally
proud - of the selfless role that people like Charley Wootan played in making it so ... We
will miss Charley, and on behalf of the Texas Transportation Commission and the Texas
Department of Transportation, thank you for sharing him with us."PERSONAL THOUGHTS ...
Too many times, great men who make great accom-
plishments in this life become prideful and unapproach-
able. Charley was never guilty of these faults. He was
as humble and approachable as anybody I have ever
known.... He was one of the finest men I have
ever known. My prayers go out to Doxie and the
family for that comfort which only God can provide.
-Joe Button, division head, Texas Transportation
Institute
Most of us thought of Charley as a member of the
department ... His participation on a national scale
brought to us a broader and more up-to-date knowl-
edge of transportation research.
-Mark Goode, former engineer-director, Texas
Department of Transportation
It was Charley's constant pleasant and positive
approach to daily events that I most readily recall. Most
memorable are the mentoring efforts he provided to
me... His words and wisdom often helped guide
my professional development decisions. His willingness
to assist so many, so readily, so freely, demonstrates
the impact his life has had on those he touched
-John Mason
He encouraged without commanding, he made one find
their best without imposing, and he expanded horizons
without imposing his own. He was the gentlest person
and manager I have ever known. It was difficult to
discern where Charley the boss stopped and Charley
the friend began. To him there was no difference, he
was the same in every circumstance. I do not think he
ever recognized any difference between management
and friendship. That attribute, I think, was why he had
the respect of everyone that ever encountered him. I will
miss him, as all do ...
-Sadler Bridges,
special assistant to
the agency director
Texas Transporta-I
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-CY8 Texas Transportation Researcher Charley Wootan Tribute
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Texas Transportation Institute. Texas Transportation Researcher, Volume 37, Number 2, 2001, periodical, 2001; College Station, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth576275/m1/8/: accessed May 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.