Joseph Waxse

Joseph A. Waxse, age 71, passed away November 4, 2022 surrounded by loved ones in his Olathe family home. Joe was born April 7, 1951 in Oswego, Kansas to Dr. I. Joseph Waxse and Mary L. Waxse (Poole), where he was raised with siblings David J. Waxse, Paula N. Waxse (Goering) and Sylvia L. Waxse (Mansfield). He graduated from Chaminade College Prep St. Louis in 1969, and the University of Kansas, Lawrence in 1976 and 1979. Joe joined McClelland Engineers, Houston in 1980 where he worked on offshore projects from Louisiana, Texas, California, and Alaska, to the Middle East and South America. Joe joined Terracon Consultants, Omaha in 1985 where he provided management and consultation on projects including bridges, dams, landfills, airports, buildings, and utilities. He continued to work through this year as a consultant for SpaceX and alongside professional colleagues throughout the world.

One of Joe's greatest passions was his work with the American Society of Civil Engineers, earning the status of Diplomate, Geotechnical Engineering by the Academy of Geo-Professionals in 2012. This past week Joe received lifetime achievement awards from the University of Texas San Antonio for exceptional leadership and founding of the UTSA SAGI Scholarship, and from the University of Kansas Board of Governors of the Geo-Institute of ASCE for exemplary leadership and service to geotechnical engineering.

Joe was married to Marianne Nabozny on November 25, 1983. Joe is survived and loved by Marianne C. Waxse and their three children, son Bennett J. Waxse, daughter-in-law Raphaelle Waxse (Cuenod), granddaughter Noa J. Waxse, of Washington D.C., son Jay M. Waxse of Washington D.C., and daughter Caroline M. Waxse of Brooklyn, NY.

Joe is also survived and loved by his brother David Waxse & sister-in-law Judy Pfannenstiel, sister-in-law Linda Waxse, sister Sylvia Mansfield (Charles Mansfield), brother-in-law Joe Goering (Paula Goering), the Nabozny family in Michigan, many nephews and nieces, friend Debby Dominick, and cats Meantoo & Bea.

If you are interested in contributing to the Joseph A. Waxse Geotechnical Engineering Memorial Fund, please contact Marianne Waxse at mcwaxse@gmail.com