In memory of Dr. Albert “Al” DeBonis

It is with great sadness that on Monday October 19, 2020 Dr. Albert “Al” DeBonis passed away peacefully at home. Albert is survived by his wife of 43 years, Brenda; his sister Rosemary and her husband Douglas Allen; his children Omar, Joshua, and Tony; his daughters-in-law Shayna and Amanda; and his grandchildren Keana, Sierra, Brandon, Logan, and Malia. Family, friends, and community were incredibly important to him.

 

Al was the President and founder of Wood Advisory Services, Inc. since June 1984 where he was born in raised in Millbrook, New York. Millbrook, New York. He graduated from Colorado State University with a Ph.D. in Wood Science and Engineering. Prior to that he had attended the BS in Wood Science at the University of Massachusetts in1972 and a degree in Forestry in 1970 from Paul Smiths College. Al was a member of several technical committees including the Forest Products Society (FPS) and the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST). He was a member of the FPS and SWST since 1974. He served as a member of the Markwardt Wood Engineering Award Committee, a trustee of the FPS NE Section, he served as a member of the George Marra Award Committee, he was a member of the Committee on Professional Wood Scientist Certification, he was the Chairman of the Committee on Admissions, the chairman of Technical Committee on Laminated Wood, Components and Engineered Structures, he served on the Planning Committee for Annual FPS meeting, and was a participant in Visiting Scientist Program. He was also a technical article and grant reviewer for the FPS and SWST during his entire career.

 

Al began his career in Wood Science and Engineering shortly after graduating from Colorado State University, where he was a pioneer in the testing of lumber (destructive and non-destructive), visual grading, timber engineering and the development of design stresses. During his tenure at the WWPA and Virginia Tech, Al was very active in the In-Grade Testing program and the development of several ASTM Standards working with the US and Canadian Lumber Grading Agencies, Forest Products Laboratories, and Universities in coordinating lumber research. Al was also very involved in the development and implementation of the national In-grade testing program for dimension lumber and several ASTM Standards.

 

Al will be missed in the industry for his contributions, leadership, knowledge, and “great stories”.  A link for Dr. “Al” DeBonis’ obituary is provided here.