In Memory: Richard P. Arber

Iselin, N.J. — On May 4, Hatch Mott MacDonald announced the passing of Rick Arber. Arber’s career as a civil engineer spanned more than 48 years. He worked on hundreds of water, wastewater, and water reuse projects during that time. He was passionate about water engineering and was one of the early champions of water reuse. He was involved with a number of innovative and state-of-the-art projects, including the Denver Water Potable Reuse Demonstration Project, which was operated during the 1980s and 1990s with the goal of establishing the safety of using reclaimed wastewater for drinking water.

Arber joined Hatch Mott MacDonald in 2010 along with his firm, Richard P. Arber Associates, which he founded in 1981. At HMM, he served as a vice president and practice leader in the West and manager of the water and wastewater group in Lakewood, Colo. He preached the importance of protecting public health and the environment and the benefits that it brings to society.

“Rick was an energetic and enthusiastic leader, mentor, colleague, and friend, and his passion for engineering extended to many people across the country,” Hatch Mott MacDonald said in a statement. “We have been fortunate to have worked alongside him and have benefited from his insight. He will be sorely missed.”

A Water For People memorial fund and Colorado State University Scholarship Foundation are being set up in Arber’s name.