In Memoriam

of those who were active in the

Mid-Atlantic Chapter of

Governmental Collection and Disposal Association (GRCDA),

a.k.a., Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)

PARKER ANDREWS

(1933- June 3, 1998)

One of the Founding Fathers of the Chapter:

       Chapter Director       1983-1985           

       Vice President           1986

       President                  1987

       Past President           1988

Many of the meetings in the 1980’s were held in his office at the Anne Arundel County Millersville Landfill.  His active support included attending the IB meetings while the Chapter Director at no cost to the Chapter, as well as assisting in the Chapter’s hosting of the GRCDA International solid waste exposition in Baltimore in 1988. 

Parker had a long career with Anne Arundel County from 1963-1993, advancing through the ranks:

       1963-1965       Supervisor of Utility Assessments (Sanitary Commission)

       1965-1969       Supervisor of Utility Assessments (DPW)

       1969-1971       Project Administrator (County Executive’s office)

       1971-1986       Bureau Chief, Solid Waste Bureau (DPW)

       1986-1987       Assistant Director (DPW)

       1987-1988       Acting Director (DPW)

       1988-1993       Director (DPW)

Besides GRCDA, he was a member of CEAM and APWA.  In addition he represented Anne Arundel County, as its Board member on the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, starting in 1980, staying until 1993, including serving as Treasurer of the Authority from 1989 until 1993.

As noted above, Parker was very involved with solid waste management, including the Mid-Atlantic Chapter while in its infancy.

One of our Chapter's long time corporate members, Jim Manley of Information Systems, Inc. stated that, "Parker Andrews at Anne Arundel County Public Works was the first client for The WeighMaster System in 1980, which was developed for weighing vehicles delivering waste to disposal facilities and is the genesis of Information Systems, Inc."  

"One of the things I can recall discussing with Parker was to make sure you make the program easy to use for the operators, but auditable by management.  He was interested in using technology to streamline the County's operations where appropriate.  I recall many helpful sessions with Parker during the system design.  We have continued using those same basic rules over the last 28 years."

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GEORGE L. WINFIELD

(July 6, 1943 – December 1, 2007)

One of the Founding Fathers of the Chapter:

     Vice President  (of the provisional Chapter)  1983  

     Vice President                                             1984-1985

     President                                                    1986 

     Past President                                             1987

     Director                                                      1988

In addition, he was a co-chair of the local committee for the 1988 GRCDA international solid waste exposition in Baltimore in 1988; and for the 1995 and 2001 SWANA International Expositions in Baltimore, he was instrumental in ensuring participation and assistance of the City DPW.

George, a native of Petersburg, VA, enlisted with the Air Force (1964-1968), which included service in Viet Nam.  Afterwards, he received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Howard University in 1972 and a masters in Bio-Environmental Engineering in 1973.  His employment with Baltimore City began in 1973 in the Collections Division of the Bureau of Solid Waste where he progressed to be Bureau Chief, before becoming the head of the DPW Bureau of General Services and Deputy-Director of Public Works.  After a short retirement (1996-2000), he was appointed Director of Public Works in 2000 as the City’s first African-American Director.  He also served as the City’s representative on the Board of the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority from 2000-2007, including being elected as Treasurer from 2004-2007.

In 1989 George was named Black Engineer of the Year.  In addition to SWANA, he was a member of APWA, AWWA, WEA, and ASCE.

In mid-November 2007, he suffered a stroke and died on December 1, 2007.  On December 8, there was a funeral service/“celebration of life” to honor his career and life.  The December 3, 2007 “Examiner” quoted a DPW spokesperson, “He was well-respected and he has a legacy that is going to impact people for many years to come.”  Also, the Examiner stated, “He was so well-loved by everybody,” an “…exemplary public servant…” In the December 3, 2007, Baltimore Sun, Governor Martin O’Malley stated “he did it quietly, professionally, and honestly.”  The Sun further stated that “He developed a reputation as not only a competent public official, but as one of city government’s nicest people.  His employees described him as passionate and patient.” These same sentiments were also expressed on December 8 by the pastor, as well as six speakers (the Governor, Mayor, a DPW representative, a State Senator, George’s brother James, and his daughter, Takirra). 

His immediate family includes Ruby (his wife of forty years), son Talawn (and wife, Erin), son Tamry (and wife Nag Quita) and daughter Takirra, and four granddaughters.

Based on his experience serving with George on the Mid-Atlantic Chapter Board of Directors in the 1980’s (including being President when he was Vice President and as the other co-chair of the 1988 Exposition), Steve Lippy heartily agreed with sentiments previously expressed in the Examiner, Sun, and in the expressions during the funeral service. Traits of the Boy Scout law (e.g., trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, cheerful, reverent), as well as competent, professional, honest, integrity, and gentleman are all words that described George.  He was indeed a good man who will be missed.

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[Note: If anyone has any other relevant info to share, 

please contact slippy@baltimorecountymd.gov]