Engineer to receive civil rights award

Oscar Eason Jr., recipient of the American Jewish Congress' Civil Rights Award for 2006

Oscar Eason Jr., seems to know everyone in the Puget Sound, Wash., area. It’s because his forté is building relationships, initiating dialogue and holding to a long tradition of advancing civil rights.

Advancing civil rights throughout the region and the nation is what Eason will be honored for in November when the Pacific Northwest region of the American Jewish Congress makes him their 2006 Civil Rights Award recipient.

“The AJC presents this award to civic leaders whose stewardship has contributed significantly to the improvement of life in our community,” said Rick Harkavy, executive director of the AJC. “Oscar Eason certainly falls into that category as one of the most respected African-American leaders in our community.”

An Army veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Eason serves as a licensed engineer and assistant to the chief, Engineering-Construction Division at the Seattle District of the Army Corps of Engineers. As a civilian, he served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm assisting the Kuwaiti government.

"It’s a very significant honor to be the recipient of this civil rights award because of its source and timing," Eason said. "We’re living in a period when the rights of individuals are seldom addressed, but as Americans, we must constantly be reminded that respect for the rights of individuals is what distinguishes our great country from most other countries around the world."

Eason is a legend in the community. He is a four-state area conference president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, chairman of the Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs and vice-president of the Seattle-King County Dispute Resolution Center. He is a past national president of Blacks in Government and was also chairman of its national board of directors. He has also served as the chairman of the board of directors for Inner City Enterprises, Inc., in San Antonio, Texas, and as vice-president of the Northwest Coalition against Malicious Harassment in Seattle.

The Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities selected Eason as its 1996 recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Affirmative Action. In 1998, he was awarded the NAACP Benjamin L. Hooks Keeper of the Flame National Award in 1998 for his significant contributions to the promotion of civil rights and work in the area of equal opportunity.

‘Retired’ engineer finds Iraq duty satisfying work

October 12, 2006 | top

Retired engineer Jim Ruyak oversees 30 construction projects in Iraq while working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Even though he’s officially retired after four decades of government service, 72-year-old Jim Ruyak is at work in Iraq with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“I’m here because the work of helping people in need is the most satisfying undertaking one can do,” Ruyak said. “When you look at the conditions these people are living in, you just naturally want to help in any way you can.”

Since his arrival in May, Ruyak has helped build five schools, three primary health-care centers, an electrical-transmission line and substation, and a water-distribution network in western Al Anbar Province.

Ruyak knows about contingency deployments, as he volunteered for short-term duty on a number of occasions while with the Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District from 1973-2000.

Ruyak has helped recovery operations in the aftermath of floods and hurricanes, and shortly after Operation Desert Storm he served in Kuwait, helping to restore the country’s infrastructure.

A widower and father of three, Ruyak has enjoyed his current Iraq tour and the military personnel he works with every day:

“I have a great sense of pride when I see our young troops doing the great job they’re doing,” he said. “I wish our folks at home could see all the good stuff that goes on over here.”

BAMC radiologist becomes track star

October 12, 2006 | top

At 81, Granville Coggs serves as a radiologist at the Brook Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Granville Coggs is convinced he’s discovered the ever-elusive elixir of youth.

“It’s called sweat,” he said with a laugh. “Anything you do that makes you sweat is aerobic and will keep you young and fit.”

At 81, Coggs is no stranger to sweat. A Harvard-trained radiologist, San Antonio Symphony mastersinger and an original Tuskegee Airman, the retired lieutenant colonel has added one more title to an already impressive list – track star.

The Brooke Army Medical Center radiologist earned a gold and silver medal in the Texas State Senior Games last month in Austin, Texas. He took 1st place in the 400-meter run with a time of 1 minute, 51.46 seconds, and second in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 10:16.39. His finishing times qualified him for the biannual 2007 National Senior Games, to be held in Louisville, Ky., next summer.

In 1968, Coggs became a follower of Dr. Kenneth Cooper, an Air Force physician at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, who wrote a book called “Aerobics.” The book kick-started him on a work-out craze that continues today.

“I read it, believed it and started following it,” Coggs said. He and wife, Maud started exercising although “back then we were considered crazy for doing it,” Maud said.

Consistent training has paid off throughout the years – 10 years ago, at 71, Coggs could run a mile in under 8 minutes.

In 1997, Coggs won a gold medal for his age group in the 1,500-meter run. He went on to win gold medals in the 1,500-meter run at the 1998 and 1999 San Antonio Senior Olympics.