Hal Rives

Hal Rives, 81, of Stone Mountain, former Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, died May 8, 2007 of complications of Alzheimer's disease. His entire career was spent with the DOT as Road Design Engineer, State Highway Engineer, Deputy Commissioner, and finally as Commissioner from 1987 through 1991. He also served as president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials from 1990 to 1991. He worked to secure passage of the 1991 Federal Transportation Bill during George H.W. Bush's term as president. After his retirement, he did volunteer work with the Atlanta Justice Center and Fernbank Science Museum. He joins his daughter, Dr. Wendy Rives, who died in 2001, and is survived by his wife, Barbara Rives of Stone Mountain, his children, Jack and Eve Rives of Roswell, Drs. Cathy Rives and Lionel Corbett of Santa Barbara, California and Dr. JoAnn Difede of New York City as well as four grandchildren, Michael and Jeff Rives of Roswel1, Gabriel Rives-Corbett of Santa Barbara and Hal Difede Rives of New York City. He was born and grew up in Texas and graduated from Abilene High School. He served in the Field Artillery in Europe during World War II and received his degree in Civil Engineering from SMU in Dallas in 1950. He began work with the Georgia DOT in 1955 and retired in 1991. He was instrumental in completing the Georgia 400 extension, the first major toll road built in Georgia, and in mediating a settlement for the construction of the Freedom Parkway around the Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta. He was a member of First Christian Church of Atlanta and served as Deacon, Elder and Trustee. A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church of Atlanta, 4532 LaVista Road, Tucker, at 3:00 pm Saturday, May 12th with visitation and reception following at the church. Rev. Ralph Smith will officiate. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Georgia or the First Christian Church. A. S. Turner & Sons