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Two storytellers, one family tradition
About
A career builder of bridges and a heart for music — and the next generation carrying the Appalachian song forward.
Author · Engineer · Composer
Thomas Leech
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Thomas Leech is an author and editor who has written numerous articles in national and international magazines, peer-reviewed journals, and conference proceedings. His work focuses on the history of bridges and technology, bridge aesthetics, and forensic investigations.
As a registered professional and registered structural engineer, he served as the (now retired) Chief Engineer of Bridges and Structures for Gannett Fleming, Inc. — an international engineering organization where he worked for 45 years. He has been engineer of record for hundreds of bridge designs and notable bridge and tunnel restorations throughout the United States.
He is also a composer and instrumentalist — Irish whistle, mandolin, guitar, and keyboard — who has written and recorded instrumental and choral music. He is currently an Adjunct Professor of Civil Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, teaching engineering mechanics and geotechnical engineering, and for over 30 years taught continuing-education courses for The Pennsylvania State University, preparing engineers for professional licensure.
Recognition
Personal Awards
Signature Bridge Designs
Engineer of Record
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2020 — Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania, Metcalf Award
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2018 — IPPY Award, Mid-Atlantic Best Regional Non-Fiction (Bronze) for Bridges … Pittsburgh at the Point
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2015 — ASCE Pittsburgh, Distinguished Engineer
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2012 — Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania, Engineer of the Year
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Hulton Bridge over the Allegheny River, Oakmont, PA — 2016 IBC Eugene C. Figg Medal for Signature Bridges, 2016 ASCE Achievement Award & 2018 NSBA Merit Award
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Mingo Creek Viaduct (Joe Montana Bridges), Washington County, PA — 2003 NSBA Prize Bridge & 2004 IBC Lindenthal Award
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Bloomfield Bridge, Pittsburgh, PA — 1989 AISC Prize Bridge Award
2017 Civil Engineering Magazine, Volume 86, Issue 9, January, The New Hulton Bridge - Elegance & Efficiency (Hulton Bridge across the Allegheny River, Oakmont, PA), T Leech et al. https://doi.org/10.1061/ciegag.0001132
2002 Transportation Research Board, Mingo Creek Viaduct, Challenges of Topography and Geology, by T. Leech et al. https://trid.trb.org/view/844579
2006 Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Forensic Engineering, The Kinzua Decoded, the Forensic Investigation of the Kinzua Viaduct July 21, 2003 Collapse, by T leech et al. https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/40853%28217%2934
2005 American Scientist, Volume 93, o 4, The Collapse of the Kinzua Viaduct, by T. Leech https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-collapse-of-the-kinzua-viaduct
2005 Transportation Research Board, Lessons from the Kinzua, An investigation into the Collapse of the 103-Year Old Railroad Bridge and Civil Engineering Landmark, by T. Leech et al. https://trid.trb.org/View/772571
Forensic Investigation of the Kinzua Viaduct
Principal Investigator
What brought down a 103-year-old landmark?
Mt. Jewett, Pennsylvania · July 21, 2003
Once among the tallest and longest railroad viaducts in the world, the Kinzua Viaduct stood for over a century — until a tornado struck it during a restoration project in July 2003, tearing the towers from their foundations.
As principal investigator, Thomas Leech led the forensic engineering study that determined how and why the structure failed — analyzing the wind event, the century-old ironwork, and the anchorage that gave way. The findings became a landmark case study in bridge forensics.
Published Findings
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2006 — The Kinzua Decoded, Proceedings of the ASCE, Forensic Engineering
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2005 — The Collapse of the Kinzua Viaduct, American Scientist, Vol. 93
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2005 — Lessons from the Kinzua, Transportation Research Board
Educator · Performing Artist · Author
Professor Tall Paul
Asheville, North Carolina
Professor Tall Paul (Leech) is an educator, musical instructor, recording artist — guitar, mandolin, cello, and bass — and performer, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Performance from West Virginia University (1999). He resides in Asheville, North Carolina, the heart of Appalachian music.
He teaches guitar and music theory (ear training) at A-B Tech, Asheville Campus, offers private lessons in guitar, mandolin, bass guitar, string bass, and music theory, and records and performs throughout western North Carolina. Recording sessions include Winter in Asheville and the instrumental I Will Lift Up My Eyes, both at Woodridge Studios.