Dear William (and Daniel, Catherine, Michael & Baby Girl Y) (and your parents), (and any future descendants and their parents),
I thought you may be interested in seeing your Great-Grandfather Kostro’s Resume from circa [from Latin, meaning “around” ] June 1963 (a Resume is a document that explains your qualifications for work, such as your education, your experience, your publications, the languages you speak, and anything else that may be helpful in evaluating your candidacy for a job you are seeking):
On page 2, in the Publications section, my Father mentions that his article “Solution of Linear Equations by Moment Distribution Method” will be published in the American Society of Civil Engineers [ASCE] Journal — here is his handwritten draft of the first page of that article:
In the Experience Record section (also on page 2), you notice that my Father’s first employer in the United States was the firm of Ammann & Whitney. In an advertisement about the firm, it is written: “Since our founding in 1946 by Othmar Ammann, the preeminent bridge engineer, and Charles Whitney, an equally renowned designer of innovative structures, Ammann & Whitney has been synonymous with engineering excellence. The firm has won numerous awards and has been consistently recognized for technical innovation, integrity and achievement, along with an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction. Ammann & Whitney is privileged to have been associated with the design and/or upgrade of many of our nation’s most notable landmarks, including the Verrazano Narrows, George Washington and Golden Gate Bridges; the Statue of Liberty; the US Capitol Building; Lincoln Center; the Washington, DC Metro; Dulles International Airport; and the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK Airport.”
Here is a copy of the cover page of an Office Memorandum by George Kostro, dated August 10, 1959, relating to the Roof Arch at the Dulles International Airport, Building “D”:
Here is an example of your Great-Grandfather’s calculations (then, age: 35), relating to the Roof Arch at the airport, dated April 6, 1959:
Researching the Airport, I found the following:
In May 1958, the engineering firm of Ammann and Whitney of New York was selected by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (forerunner of today’s Federal Aviation Administration) as the prime contractor for the airport planning, design, and construction supervision.
Architect Eero Saarinen, wanted to create something more than just another airport — he wanted to find “the soul of the airport.” He designed the terminal building and the control tower in that spirit and called it “the best thing I have ever done.” The terminal building was selected for a First Honor Award by the American Institute of Architects in 1966.
The building of the airport started on September 2, 1958, seven and a half months after the site selection. When it opened four years later, in 1962, Dulles International Airport had a strikingly beautiful terminal building which would become a landmark to travelers worldwide. The terminal was a compact, two-level structure; 600 feet long and 200 feet wide.
Dulles International Airport was named for the late Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and was formally dedicated by President John F. Kennedy on November 17, 1962 (the airport was renamed Washington Dulles International Airport in 1984).
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is located in Chantilly, VA on 12,000 acres of land 26 miles from downtown Washington, DC.
Someday, you should go there and take your own photographs; and be aware of the contributions your family made to this country; and think about how YOU will contribute also.
Love,
Dziadziuś Paweł.
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