W. Curtis English was a powerful force in both industry and philanthropy in the Commonwealth. After graduating from Virginia Tech in 1932 with a degree in architectural engineering, he began working in his father's building materials business, the W.B. English Lumber Co., in Altavista. In 1939, Curtis established English Construction Co., Inc., which today is one of the largest construction firms in western Virginia. He also established W.C. English, Inc., a general contracting firm.



Under the visionary leadership of Curtis English, the construction company built more than 100 schools, as well as numerous hospitals and churches. Mr. English diversified the company to include water and sewage treatment plants, highway construction, hydroelectric dam projects, institutional buildings, and historic restoration projects. After his son-in-law, A. Douglas Dalton, Jr., became President of the company in 1985, Mr. English remained Chairman of the Board until his death in February 1995.



Mr. English's philanthropic history is as impressive as his business career. He established the W.C. English Foundation, which has made generous bequests to many Baptist Church charities, as well as to schools including Oak Hill Academy, Averett College, St. Paul's College and Virginia Tech.



On behalf of his alma mater, Mr. English was a driving force in financing and building Virginia Tech's War Memorial. In 1992 he established the W. Curtis English Professorship in the College of Engineering, which is held by CEE Department Head William R. Knocke.



Mr. English also was generous in his service to Virginia Tech as a member of the College of Engineering's Committee of 100 and of the university's Ut Prosim Society.



Virginia Tech honored Mr. English's generosity and service. In 1979 he received the University Alumni Distinguished Service Award, and the College of Engineering named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 1989. He also was elected an honorary member of ODK, the university's student leadership fraternity.



Mr. English served on Altavista's Town Council from 1950 to 1992, including terms as Vice Mayor and Chairman of the Finance Committee. In 1957, he was selected Man of the Year by the Altavista Chamber of Commerce. He also served as President of the Virginia Branch of the Association of General Contractors, President of the Virginia Baptist General Association, and as a member of several state and regional Baptist boards. Mr. English received honorary degrees from Averett College and Randolph-Macon College.



The W.C. English Foundation is now headed by Curtis's widow, Louise Towles English, and their four daughters, Beverley Dalton, Joan Allen, Margaret Lester and Suzanne Morse. The foundation continues its support of Virginia Tech and recently provided primary funding for the W.C. English Geotechnical Research Laboratory, a CEE facility slated for completion in 2002.



In addition to four daughters, Curtis and Louise English have 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Mrs. English continues to reside in Altavista.