Reflecting on the roots of my engineering career, cherished family photographs often come to mind. These were taken at Flushing Bay Park during the 1964 New York World’s Fair, a defining moment not just for the world showcasing innovations but for my family as well. This was when my father, Rudolph Bartoldus Jr., PE, made his significant mark with the fair’s monorail system.

My father had just finished school, attending classes at night, and all six of us kids were there, sharing in this exciting time. His main job on that project was as a structural engineer involved in the design and supervision of the monorail – similar to the one at Walt Disney World today.

Before the fair opened to the public, we, his children, got a thrilling opportunity to ride the monorail. I remember him explaining things to us. Do I remember what he said? No, but I remember the feeling. I remember him being proud, getting a really cool ride with nobody else on the monorail, and that my father had everything to do with it. That’s probably one of my earliest memories of my father.

Like him, I am a civil engineer, and when I decided to become an engineer at the age of 26, I ended up following in his footsteps – attending night classes while raising my daughter, just as he had juggled his education with raising six kids. I even went to his alma mater for my bachelor’s degree. He was a big influence on me; I’m very proud of my father and very proud that I was able to follow in his footsteps.

He was there when I graduated, a moment that was as significant for him as it was for me. He only passed away in 2017, so he was around to see much of my career unfold and to visit my biggest construction project.

This legacy of diligence, dedication, and passion for engineering is something I carry with me to every project and every talk I give. It’s not just the technical skills; it’s the understanding that engineering is more than calculations and codes—it’s about creating something lasting and impactful. Perhaps, most importantly, it’s about lifting others as you climb.