Paul David "Dave" Uerling

Paul David "Dave" Uerling, 84, of Fort Smith passed away on July 15, 2012. He retired as President of Uerling and Associates Consulting Engineers, which he founded in 1969. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Dave was a long time active member of Fort Smith Rotary, Knights of Columbus and the Arkansas Society of Professional Engineers. Dave was born on October 14, 1927 in McCook NE to Paul Matthias Uerling and Josephine Goodenkauf Uerling, the third of ten children. After graduation from Red Willow High School he honorably served his country in the US Army from 1946 to 1948. He served most of his time with the occupation forces in Japan, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon discharge he attended Colorado State University and earned a BS in Civil Engineering. Early work included the Saint Lawrence Seaway and Niagara Power Project in upstate New York. Looking to get closer to home, Dave found work in Tulsa, then Fort Smith. In 1969, Dave along with two local engineers formed the firm Bell Burrough & Uerling. For the next twenty years he was the primary civil engineer designing water projects including the Fort Smith Lee Creek Water Supply project, sewer projects, numerous area dams and water storage facilities. In addition, he was instrumental in the design of Fianna Hills Development. He designed many of the dams in the Cooper Communities projects. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Clarissa Teel Uerling of Fort Smith; one son, Daniel Ray Uerling of Fort Smith; four daughters, Laura Uerling Budil of Stoughton, Mass., Lisa Uerling Rands of Cary, Ill., Mary Uerling LaFevers of Tulsa, Okla., and Melinda Uerling Schneider of Livonia, Mich.; six grandchildren, Thomas James Rands of Boston, Mass., Timothy Joseph Rands of Cary, Ill., Leah Catherine Budil and Daniel Matthias Budil of Stoughton, Mass., Sara Jane LaFevers of Tulsa, Okla., Maxwell Paul Schneider of Livonia, Mich.; and one great-granddaughter, Isabella Marie Rands of Cary, Ill. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert Uerling of McCook, Neb. and Charles Uerling of Fort Smith; and four sisters, Retha Miller of Cody, Wyo., Joanne Hinkson of Denver, Colo., Marjorie Uerling of Omaha, Neb., and Jeanne Kippen of Denver, Colo.. He was predeceased by one son, David James Uerling, and three sisters, Florence Reick, Lora Noe and Mary Uerling. Rosary will be said on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 5 p.m. in the Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Mass will be said on Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 10 a.m. in Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial of cremains will be Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the U.S. National Cemetery all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Memorial contributions should be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 2000 South Greenwood, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901; Knights of Columbus, or Alzheimer's Association for Western Arkansas, 2408 South 51st Court, fort Smith, Atk. 72903. To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.