Robert Lingren Bleyl

1936 ~ 2021

On Tuesday, February 16, 2021, Robert L. Bleyl, age 84, passed away in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was born on March 25, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Lorenzo A. Bleyl and Alice L. Swenson Lingren. He was educated in Salt Lake City, graduating from East High School in 1954.
Robert attended the University of Utah, acquiring a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree and Master of Science Degree in Traffic Engineering, graduating with honors. He attended the Bureau of Highway Traffic at Yale University, acquiring a Certificate in Highway Transportation Engineering in 1964. He subsequently became the Deputy Director of Traffic for the Utah State Department of Highways. He returned to Yale University as an Assistant Professor of Engineering, teaching courses in highway transportation engineering for three years. In 1968 he transferred to Pennsylvania State University as an Associate Professor, continuing to teach and earning a PhD Degree in Transportation Engineering in 1971. In 1972, he established the Transportation Engineering Program at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, and taught there for nine years.

In January 1966, while teaching graduate level courses in highway transportation engineering at Yale University, Robert began a part-time consulting practice. That practice, which dealt with forensic highway transportation matters, continued on a part-time basis during his service on the faculty of the Pennsylvania State University and the University of New Mexico. In 1980 Robert resigned his tenured Associate Professorship to pursue a full-time engineering consulting practice, known as Bleyl Forensic Engineering. Since 1966, the firm has undertaken more than 1,500 separate cases. As the sole professional, Robert gave expert witness testimony in these assignments, for both defendants and plaintiffs. He retired in 2017.

Robert authored numerous technical articles on traffic engineering and accident reconstruction topics and was continuously registered as a Professional Engineer for 53 years. In 1968 the Institute of Traffic Engineers awarded him the Past Presidents’ Award in recognition of professional excellence in Traffic Engineering. He was a member of several technical societies, including the National Academy of Forensic Engineers, where he held the office of National Treasurer for several years, and the Institute of Traffic Engineers.

Robert loved music and sang barbershop with the New MexiChords-Duke City Chorus in Albuquerque for many years. He also was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served a two and a half year mission in Germany, and served as a counselor in two stake presidencies, in bishoprics, and as a Temple worker. An Eagle Scout, Robert was active in the Boy Scouts of America throughout much of his life.

Robert is survived by his wife of 60 years, Merriam Fields Bleyl of Scottsdale, AZ: four children, Erik (Courtney) Bleyl of Richmond, VA; Steven (Junko) Bleyl of Osaka, Japan; Heidi (Darren) Kay of Tucson, AZ; and Katrine (Paul) Nyman of Prescott Valley, AZ; fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Philip.

Interment is in the family plot at the Salt Lake City Cemetery in Utah. Services will be held privately by the family.