A man’s name well known around the town of Bethlehem now graces the boardroom of one of state’s most well-known agencies.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and Development Authority (NYSERDA) held a dedication ceremony to Parker D. Mathusa on Tuesday, April 14, at its main office on Columbia Circle in Albany. The boardroom of the Albany headquarters for NYSERDA is now officially named after the Bethlehem native.
Mathusa was the town’s former Planning Board chairman, a title and a role he both cherished and was honored by, but he played a much larger role in both New York and U.S. history.
Born on April 5, 1938, in Cedar Hill, Mathusa left behind a legacy that includes building nuclear plants in Alaska, Las Vagas, San Fransico, and Boston; assisting in building a propulsion system for the first Mars orbiter; a 38-year career in energy management at the Public Service Commission; working in various capacities at NYSERSA since 1978; and assisting in the building of the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, The USS Enterprise.
At the age of 70, Mathusa lost a battle with ALS also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at his Delmar home.
`I am so pleased that we are joined here today by Parker’s wife Polly, his daughters Heather, Ashlee, Bethany, and Elise, their spouses and all of Parker and Polly’s grandchildren,` NYSERDA Chairman Vicent Delorio said at the dedication.`
NYSERDA board members Liz Thorndike, Garry Brown and Pete Grannis joined Mathusa’s family. Also in attendance were past presidents such as Bill Valentino, Bill Flynn, Pete Smith and Congressman Paul Tonko.
Albany County Executive Mike Breslin and Bethlehem Supervisor Jack Cunningham were also on hand for the dedication, as was former employees Joe Visalli, Gunnar Walmet, Jean Woodard and Paul DeCotis and other NYSERDA staff.
The plaque unveiled in the boardroom in his honor reads as follows:
`Dedicated to the memory of Parker D. Mathusa, who, over more than 30 years, served NYSERDA with distinction as an energy research program director and then as a Member of the Board and as Chair of its Program Planning Committee.
`A nationally recognized research scientist, Parker led with integrity, knowledge and foresight, with a steady focus on NYSERDA’s energy innovation mission and the interests of the People of the State of New York.`
Mathusa was a graduate of the Historic Little Red School House in Cedar Hill and Ravena-Coeyman-Selkirk High School Class of 1955. In 1958, he was a community ambassador for the Town of Coeymans in Amsterdam, Holland. Mr. Mathusa received his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University at Albany in 1959 and his master’s degree in engineering management from Northeastern University in 1970.
He was an Eagle Scout and served in the National Guard.
`He began his career in Newport News, Virginia, after receiving his Bachelor of Science in physics from SUNY Albany by serving under the command of Admiral Rickover,` Delorio said about Mathusa’s work on the USS Enterprise.
He was also selected and served as emissary to China for Energy Infrastructure Development.
After retirement, he served on the NYSERDA Board of Directors as a Research Scientist for 10 years and was Bethlehem’s planning board chair, member of the Planning Advisory Committee, the Comprehensive Planning Oversight Committee, and the Quadricentennial Committee.
Cunningham said the event was a nice way for NYSERDA to acknowledge Mathusa’s contributions and added that he wished he were still around today to with the new wave of energy initiatives.
`It was very nice event and a good way to recognize his work for NYSERDA,` said Cunningham. `I was proud to be there and it reminded me of how much I miss Parker.`
History was a passion of Mathusa’s and he was instrumental in preparing for this summer’s 400-year celebration of the discovery of the very river that he grew up on.
In October of 2008, Mathusa had a bench and plaque dedicated in his name for this vision and dedication to the Quadricentennial Committee. The bench was appropriately placed near the Hudson River in Henry Hudson Park in Selkirk.
`Parker was a valued member of NYSERDA and all of us benefited greatly from his dedication, counsel, work ethic and great sense of humor,` said Delorio. `He served with distinction and I know that I speak for all of us at NYSERDA when I say that his presence will be greatly missed.`
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