Puget Sound Chapter - 30 Years Ago

March 1978

Under the leadership of chapter president L.F. Laatz, another busy year was under way for the Puget Sound Chapter ASHRAE.

Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

These items were no less a topic of discussion than today. The March workshop focused on reducing energy consumption of large cooling systems. The evening program featured Charlie Stocker of Washington Natural Gas, who reported that the United States had developed a "mini" solar industry within three years time. The Solar Energy Industries Association reported 5,000 to 10,000 solar water heaters in operation and 300 to 400 structures receiving a portion of their space heating or cooling from the sun. Mr. Stocker demonstrated a new solar clothes dryer at the March meeting.

Frank Gallagher leads

songs at the March 1978

workshop

The Treasures of Tutankhamun

One of the nation's most popular traveling exhibitions came to Seattle in 1978. Seattle was one of five U.S. cities to host "The Treasures of Tutankhamun" (King Tut). The chapter's February social event featured a slide show by Grace Morgan of the Seattle Art Museum highlighting artifacts that would be on exhibit when the show arrived. The preview created such interest in the exhibit that chapter First Vice President Bob Wells arranged a special ASHRAE night at the King Tut exhibit from 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM on September 17, 1978. Admission price was $7.50 per person and 150 Puget Sound Chapter members and family/friends attended the viewing. When the Seattle showing closed in November 1978, The Washington Post reported "The 1,293,203 people who saw his exhibition prior to its Tuesday closing at Seattle’s art museum outnumber by more than two to one the population of that city."

Roderick R. Kirkwood Award

John Proctor was presented with the 1977 Roderick R. Kirkwood Award for his outstanding service to Puget Sound Chapter. His accomplishments noted in the March 1978 Punch List included raising sufficient funds in the 1977 ASHRAE Research Drive to rank Puget Sound Chapter as the second highest contributer in the nation. John was also recognized for serving two years as Punch List editor and for bringing advertising to the yearly roster, making it a profitable venture. John was also recognized for serving on numerous chapter committees and as banquet program director for the 1976 ASHRAE Annual Meeting held in Seattle.