Obituary for Evert Hoek FREng (1933-2024)

Born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1933, Evert's remarkable career spanned several decades and continents, leaving an indelible mark on the field of engineering.

Evert's journey into rock mechanics began in 1958, driven by the challenges of brittle rock in deep gold mines in South Africa. His groundbreaking research at the University of Cape Town culminated in a Ph.D. on rock fracture under static stress conditions in 1965. Subsequently, he joined Imperial College in London, where he established a faculty-wide center for rock mechanics at the Royal School of Mines. Among his notable contributions was the development of a triaxial test for rock mechanics in 1968.

In 1975, Evert became a professor at the University of Toronto, where he furthered his research and mentorship. His career later took him to Vancouver, where he served as a senior principal and chairman at Golder Associates, followed by a distinguished tenure as an independent consulting engineer.

Evert's contributions to engineering were recognized globally. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2006 for his significant contributions to the development and application of rational design procedures for engineered systems in rock. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. His academic accolades included a Doctor of Science degree from the University of London and honorary doctorates from the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo.

Throughout his illustrious career, Evert received numerous awards, including the first prize of the Mueller International Society of Rock Mechanics, the 1983 Rankine Lectureship (Strength of jointed rock masses), and the 2000 Terzaghi Lectureship (Big tunnels in bad rock). He authored over 100 papers and three books, including the seminal "Rock Slope Engineering," updated to its fifth edition by Duncan Wyllie in 2017.

Evert Hoek's legacy is one of innovation, excellence, and dedication to the field of rock mechanics. His work continues to inspire engineers and researchers around the world. He is survived by his family, friends, and countless colleagues who admired his intellect, leadership, and contributions to engineering.