Olaf Stokstad

Soils engineering as a key element in highway design was initiated and brought to a high state in Michigan by Stokstad, who formed and built the Department of State Highway's first soils engineering staff. His soils classification system, the first in the country adapted from soil science methods used in agriculture, provided "profiles" of scores of soil types in Michigan, enabling engineers to design a statewide system of highways noted for its durability in all types of terrain. In his nearly 42 years with the Department (1925-1967), Stokstad also developed a widely acclaimed soil engineering manual, swamp treatment methods for highway construction and pavement strength design procedures. He also helped formulate Michigan's first "all-season" highway network. 

Michigan Transportation Hall of Honor, 1978