Former CCST Council Chair Larry Papay Dies

CCST Board member and former Council chair Larry Papay passed away on July 28, 2014 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 77.

“I knew Larry Papay for about twenty years beginning at Bechtel and continuing through my time on CCST,” said CCST Council member Jude Laspa, retired Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the Bechtel Group, Inc. “He was a consummate gentleman – an optimist for whom the glass was always half-full or more. He was the type of individual you felt proud to be representing your organization and someone who used his technical skills to do good things in the world.”

Papay was CEO and Principal of PQR, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in managerial, financial, and technical strategies for a variety of clients in electric power and other energy areas. He also served as Sector Vice President for the Integrated Solutions Sector, SAIC where he was responsible for business dealing with the integration of technology in the energy, environment and information areas for a variety of governmental and commercial clients worldwide. Prior to joining SAIC, Larry was the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Bechtel Technology & Consulting, where he was responsible for monitoring new technologies and developing new businesses, principally in the energy sector, employing those technologies including technological developments that impacted existing business lines as well as the engineering and construction business in general. Prior to that he was a Senior Vice President at Southern California Edison where he had a variety of responsibilities over his 21-year career including R&D, Engineering, Power Operations (T&D), Power Generation, Nuclear Power, System Planning and General Administrative functions.

Papay first got involved with CCST as chair of an education committee dealing with improving science and math education in K-12. He was later selected to join the Council, where he served as Chair from 2005-2008. Following his term as Council chair, he was appointed to the CCST Board, where he served until his death. He was closely involved with many of CCST’s energy related projects.

“I had the privilege of working with Larry for over 30 years on various Boards, Councils, Committees and studies at a national and state level, most of which had to do with energy,” said CCST Senior Fellow Maxine Savitz, Vice President of the National Academy of Engineering. “Although trained as a nuclear engineer, he led efforts, well before they became more common practice, for a set of diversified fuels for clean power generation including nuclear, solar and other alternatives sources. He was an expert in the various technologies, the associated economics, and the barriers to widespread implementation.”

Papay left behind a legacy of dedicated involvement to both his personal and professional lives. He is survived by his wife Carol; his children Lisa, Greg and Diane; and five grandchildren.

“Larry was an outstanding, thoughtful, and intelligent leader,” said CCST Executive Director Susan Hackwood. “His passion, influence, and compassion had a significant impact on CCST. He will be sadly missed.”

The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Papay Science Award, established in 2008 at Fordham University.