Remembering Dr. James Jack Sharp

Dr. Sharp has also published two history books, the “Flower of Scotland” on the Scottish Monarchy, and “Discovery in the North Atlantic”. Both books have received excellent reviews by professional historians.

Dr Sharp’s primary research area has been related to environmental hydraulics and his research expertise has put him in demand as a lecturer in Canada and in other parts of the world. He has given lecture tours in China at the invitation of the Chinese Government and acted as a consultant to engineering consulting companies both here in Newfoundland, and elsewhere in Canada.

Dr. James Jack (Jim or JJ) Sharp, Professor Emeritus, passed away peacefully and with grace in his beloved Scotland on June 6th, 2022 in the presence of his eldest son Glenn. Dr. Sharp was a gentleman, scholar, musician, and exceptional engineer. Many former students and colleagues will remember him for his mentorship, collegiality, excellent teaching, supervision, and administrative skills.

Dr. Sharp had provided significant service to the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and to Memorial University during his tenure from 1970-2001. He was the first Chair of Civil Engineering at Memorial 1972 to 1976 was Chair again from 1983 to 1991. He became Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering from 1992 to 1998. In total Dr. Sharp had administrative duties for 19 of the 31 years he spent at Memorial University. He had significant input into the development of programs in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science and was involved and proud of moving the Engineering program into a blended work term environment.

Dr Sharp’s scholarly activity was both broad and fascinating covering a range of engineering specialities, history, and cooking. Two of his four engineering books have been translated into other languages.

Dr Sharp received the Camille Dagenais award from CSCE in 1981 “for outstanding contributions to the field of Hydrotechnical Engineering in Canada” and has received awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers for the best technical note of 1992, and from ICE in 2001 for his paper “The Sarawak River Barrage –Hydrotechnical and Geotechnical Aspects”. He also has a “Scientific Progress Award” from the National Environmental Protection Bureau of China.

Dr. Sharp’s professional work has been recognised by awards from CSCE – the “James A Vance” award, made for “Dedicated service which has furthered the advancement of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering” and from the Newfoundland Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists – the “Award of Merit”. This is the highest honour of the Association and is given “in recognition of having made an outstanding contribution to the Engineering profession and to the Community”.

Dr. Sharp was also an active individual with many other interests and lived a very full and happy life, and despite life’s ups and downs always chose to see the glass half full. Outside of work his hobbies were many - travel, painting, Scottish country dancing, writing, history, fishing, jewelry making, playing the bagpipes and other instruments. His most lasting impact was his ability to spread kindness and love to his family, friends and all of those he met. He always had a sparkle in his eye, was quick to help others and will be very sorely missed.