Francis Dravo was 24 when he lost one engineering job, then another because of the depression of 1890. Undaunted, he persuaded his brother-in-law to join him in a partnership selling steam power plants. The firm of F.R. Dravo and Company was launched by building a reputation for customer satisfaction. As the firm branched out into other heavy construction fields, Dravo concentrated on the engineering elements of the business. He improved dredging equipment, brought diesel engines to river barges and replaced riveted hulls with welded hulls in the company's barge-building operations. After his death his substantial contribution to engineering continued on as the company expanded during WWII to build LST landing ships.
Francis served a president of Lehigh University's Alumni Association in 1905 and in 1927, and was an alumnus trustee from 1908 through 1911 and from 1928 until his death. After his retirement, Dravo continued to commute by train from his home in Sewickley to the company's offices in downtown Pittsburgh. On the morning of February 26, 1934, the trained derailed and Dravo was one of the passengers killed in the wreck.
Frank Dravo made a substantial bequest to Lehigh. His wife, Fanny, continued her husband's generous contributions to the university. Dravo House, built in 1948, honors the dedication of the Dravo family to Lehigh
Francis served a president of Lehigh University's Alumni Association in 1905 and in 1927, and was an alumnus trustee from 1908 through 1911 and from 1928 until his death. After his retirement, Dravo continued to commute by train from his home in Sewickley to the company's offices in downtown Pittsburgh. On the morning of February 26, 1934, the trained derailed and Dravo was one of the passengers killed in the wreck.
Frank Dravo made a substantial bequest to Lehigh. His wife, Fanny, continued her husband's generous contributions to the university. Dravo House, built in 1948, honors the dedication of the Dravo family to Lehigh
Francis Dravo was 24 when he lost one engineering job, then another because of the depression of 1890. Undaunted, he persuaded his brother-in-law to join him in a partnership selling steam power plants. The firm of F.R. Dravo and Company was launched by building a reputation for customer satisfaction. As the firm branched out into other heavy construction fields, Dravo concentrated on the engineering elements of the business. He improved dredging equipment, brought diesel engines to river barges and replaced riveted hulls with welded hulls in the company's barge-building operations. After his death his substantial contribution to engineering continued on as the company expanded during WWII to build LST landing ships.
Francis served a president of Lehigh University's Alumni Association in 1905 and in 1927, and was an alumnus trustee from 1908 through 1911 and from 1928 until his death. After his retirement, Dravo continued to commute by train from his home in Sewickley to the company's offices in downtown Pittsburgh. On the morning of February 26, 1934, the trained derailed and Dravo was one of the passengers killed in the wreck.
Frank Dravo made a substantial bequest to Lehigh. His wife, Fanny, continued her husband's generous contributions to the university. Dravo House, built in 1948, honors the dedication of the Dravo family to Lehigh
Francis served a president of Lehigh University's Alumni Association in 1905 and in 1927, and was an alumnus trustee from 1908 through 1911 and from 1928 until his death. After his retirement, Dravo continued to commute by train from his home in Sewickley to the company's offices in downtown Pittsburgh. On the morning of February 26, 1934, the trained derailed and Dravo was one of the passengers killed in the wreck.
Frank Dravo made a substantial bequest to Lehigh. His wife, Fanny, continued her husband's generous contributions to the university. Dravo House, built in 1948, honors the dedication of the Dravo family to Lehigh
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