Obituary: Richard Black Nissley

Richard Black Nissley died peacefully November 11, four days shy of his 93rd birthday.

A graduate of University of Michigan in marine engineering/naval architecture, he also held degrees from Eastern College, University of Baltimore, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Air War College. He served proudly as a professional engineer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more than 42 years, holding numerous command positions and retiring as a brigadier general.

After an apprenticeship with Newport News Shipbuilding, Nissley spent 15 years as a project engineer and design nuclear component engineer for Bethlehem Steel, Westinghous, and Dravo corporations. He went on to manage US Steel’s Ohio Barge Line and Mon River Towing Company in Pittsburgh, and he retired as vice president of operations for Ingram Barge Company.

Nissley was a lifetime member of The American Waterways Operators, Waterways Association of Pittsburgh, Propeller Club of Pittsburgh, American Bureau of Shipping, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and American Public Works Association.