Gifford H. "Giff" Albright

February 14, 1931 - December 30, 2020

Gifford H. "Giff" Albright, Architectural Engineering Educator (Retired) of State College, Pennsylvania died on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at Foxdale Village in State College, Pennsylvania. Born Saturday, February 14, 1931 in Pottsville, Pennsylvania the son of the late Harry Clayton and Grace (Reinhart) Albright. Gifford earned his Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree from the Pennsylvania State University (1953) as the first graduate of the 5-year degree program and a Master of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1955). After service with the US Naval Civil Engineering Corps, he returned to Penn State to become the founding Head of the Department of Architectural Engineering in the newly formed College of Engineering (1962-1983) where he served as Professor of Architectural Engineering until his retirement in 1991. As department head, he pioneered a unique curriculum that equipped students to integrate complex and diverse engineering systems for building construction. His vision for the impact of then developing computer technology on the building industry earned him, in 1968, recognition with the cover story in Engineering News Record. His Project MODCON and the first course in the country in building systems integration with computer applications were precursors to the industry over 50 years later. He was a Program Director, National Science Foundation, Washington D.C. (1983-1988), and Professor Emeritus of Architectural Engineering, Penn State University since his retirement. He was a building research consultant, as G.H. Albright Associates, State College, Pa (1958-present) and served as Councilman, Triangle National Fraternity, Plainfield IN (1982-1986); President, Penn State University Alumni Chapter, Triangle Fraternity (1965-1969); Chair, Building Code Appeals Board, Borough of State College, Pa. (1965-1968). Gifford was a Lieutenant Junior Grade, US Naval Reserve. In 1996 Professor Albright was named an Outstanding Engineering Alumnus of the Penn State College of Engineering for his outstanding career accomplishments. He authored, "Planning Atomic Shelters: A Handbook" and Co- Authored "An Illustrated History of Tamaqua". Gifford was a member of the Construction Specification Institute (2004-2007), President, Penn State Retired Faculty Staff Club (2004-2007); President, Penn State Faculty Staff Club (1998-1999); and member of American Society of Testing and Materials; American Concrete Institute; Earthquake Engineering Research Institute; American Society of Heating, Ventilation and Refrigeration Engineers; an Associate member of the American Institute of Architects; Construction Industry Institute Marquis Who's Who Honors: Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement. Private graveside Services will be held at Odd Fellows Cemetery Tamaqua, Pennsylvania under the supervision of the E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. 655 East Broad Street Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252. (570) 668-2550 A Celebration of Gifford's Life will be held in the Spring of 2021 at Foxdale Village in State College, Pennsylvania. Expressions of sympathy or a fond memory of Giff can be sent to www.griffithsfuneralhomes.com