March 2009

A Tribute to H. Laban Davis, P. Eng.

Laban Davis, P. Eng.

B.Eng. '75 
1941 - 2008

Laban Davis, a long time member of CENL, was born in Glovertown on June 19th, 1941, to Hubert and Amy Davis. Soon after he was born his family moved to Clarenville, and later to Port Blandford, where they settled down.

Laban became interested in construction early in life, helping his father to build houses in his spare time, and working in his woodworking business. After graduating from high school in 1958, Laban moved to St. John's where he attended Memorial University for a period of time, and worked with various companies including as a draftsman with Newfoundland Light and Power Co. and as a construction inspector with the Newfoundland Department of Highways. In 1963 he married Ena Skiffington of Musgravetown.

Laban moved back to Port Blandford in 1965 to take over as Managing Director of the family's pulpwood, logging, sawmill and planar operations which, by that time, had grown into a large business employing over 30 people.

After a number of years in business, at the age of 32, and with a family to support, Laban made the decision to return to University to finish his Engineering degree. He enrolled in the Technical University of Nova Scotia (TUNS) in 1973 and graduated in 1975, fulfilling his dream of becoming an engineer.

After graduation, Laban took a job with the Newfoundland Department of Transportation as an 'Engineer 3' where he became involved with the design, upgrading and construction of many kilometers of roads and bridges throughout the province. He later moved on to become an assistant resident Engineer with Lavalin - Fenco (Nfld) in 1978, where he worked on the construction of major elements of the 75 MW Hinds Lake power development. In 1979 he joined Sheppard, Hedges and Green Ltd. as a Senior Engineer, where he oversaw the civil construction work for the Labrador microwave system. In 1981 he became Manager of Lavalin - MacLaren Plansearch Ltd. in St. John's, and in 1982 Vice-President of Lavalin - Fenco Newfoundland Ltd.

By 1985, however, Laban realized that the lifestyle he yearned was not to be found in the trappings of city life, but rather in his hometown of Port Blandford, where he could enjoy the many pastime activities which the nearby woods and sea offered. He moved back to Port Blandford that year to start his own Consulting Engineering company.

Over the next seventeen (17) years, through dedication and determination, Davis Engineering and Associates Ltd. grew from a one person operation into one of the largest Consulting Engineering firms in the Province, with a payroll exceeding 100 people at its peak.

Throughout this period, Laban was very active in the Engineering profession and the community at large, serving as a Councillor on APEGN from 1994-1996, a member of CENL for many years, a treasurer with the Canadian Legion and United Church of Canada, and serving on countless other committees, associations and volunteer groups dedicated to improving the life of others. Laban was also very active in the local amateur radio community (V01HLD), where he was the Section Emergency Coordinator.

After retiring in 2003, Laban and Ena relocated to Winterbrook, where they enlarged their cottage into a home, and enjoyed using their self-built sailboat. Ski-dooing, fishing, going to their cabin on Salmon Pond, getting together with family and friends, playing games of '120's' and enjoying his home made wine became a great source of enjoyment in his retirement years, until his sudden passing on Dec. 5, 2008.

Laban was known by all of his associates, friends and peers as a person of dedication, integrity and energy and a great ambassador for the Engineering profession, and will be greatly missed.

Thanks to Ken Knight for information for this In Memoriam.

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