It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Herb Daugherty. Herb was a prolific contributor to EGSA and the onsite power generation industry, always generous with his time and willing to share his considerable knowledge.
Herb started his career in 1963 with the Automatic Switch Company (ASCO), staying with them until his retirement in 1999. Herb became a member of the Electrical Generator Manufacturer’s Association (EGSMA, later EGSA), in 1979. He quickly became involved by volunteering on the Engineering Section and Electrical Control Committees and serving as Chair from 1987 – 1991. He, and his wife Joan, attended all EGSA conferences until his retirement from EGSA in 2020.
Herb was one of the founders of the EGSA School of On-Site Power Generation and was responsible for the module on automatic transfer switches. He, and his fellow instructors “mimeographed” copies of their presentations as handouts for their students. It soon became apparent that these handouts would be useful to many people in the power generation industry, so they were stapled together and became the first edition of On-Site Power Generation: A Reference Book. Almost 40 years later, the Reference Book, now in its 5th Edition, and generally known as the “bible” of the power generation industry, has Herb Daugherty’s contributions in every edition.
Remarkably, in his 40 years of teaching at the EGSA schools Herb only missed one class!
The following is a brief history of Herb’s many accomplishments:
1963 Herb joined the Automatic Switch Company (ASCO)
1979 Herb joined EGSMA (later EGSA)
1983-1986 Electrical Components Committee
1983-2023 Rowley School Instructor
1985-1988 Board of Directors
1987-1991 Engineering Section (Chair) and Electrical Control Committees
1988-1992 Executive Board
1990 EGSA President
2013-2020 Manager of Rowley Schools
Awards
1989 William Timmler (Outstanding Committee Chair)
1995 Leroy Carpenter (Long and Outstanding Service)
1996 Gordon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award
2000 James Wright Educator (Outstanding contributions to the EGSA education programs)
2009 President’s Award
He was the only person to earn all the EGSA awards!
Herb was always cheerful and enthusiastic, a wealth of knowledge and a pleasure to be around.
Since its founding, very few members have had such a profound effect on the growth of EGSA as Herb Daugherty. Herb was the living embodiment of volunteerism and giving back to the industry. Please keep Joan, who herself made countless sacrifices supporting Herb’s work on behalf of EGSA, and the Daugherty family in your thoughts and prayers. Herb will be greatly missed.
By Michael Pope
EGSA President (2012)