Douglas Ronald Fahl's Obituary
Douglas Ronald Fahl, 75, of Leesburg, Virginia passed away at home on August 12, 2018 with his wife and daughter by his bedside. Born in Washington D.C., he grew up in Alexandria and graduated from Hammond High School. In 1967, he graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in Civil Engineering. He began his career in the Fairfax County Planning Office and in 1968, was promoted to Chief of Transportation Planning. In 1970, he joined (then) Dewberry, Nealon and Davis Engineering firm where he led the Planning and Landscape Architectural Division. With the firm for over 43 years, in 1989 he was selected as Managing Principal to lead the newly created Land Design and Survey Division; a position that he held for 20 years. During this time he was responsible for management of the firm’s multiple land development offices and design projects throughout the greater northern Virginia area. From 2009-2014, as Executive VP, he worked in the Dewberry Consulting Division where he assisted the firm with industry, government and community relations in Virginia. In 2014 he formed D.R. Fahl Consulting, LLC where he continued his work in public policy and advocacy in the areas of transportation, land development use, housing and associated regulatory processes in Virginia.
Throughout his career he was involved in numerous professional associations including Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV), Northern Virginia Building Industry Association (NVBIA) and Northern Virginia Commercial Real Estate Developers Association (NAIOP) and was honored to be the recipient of numerous awards for his energetic dedication and many contributions to the industries with which he worked.
Additionally, five of Virginia’s Governors called upon him to serve the Commonwealth on various boards and commissions including several appointments to the Board of Commissioners of the Virginia Housing and Development Authority (VHDA), Virginia Industrial Development Services Advisory Board, Board of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Board of Visitors of Virginia Tech. He was also appointed by the Virginia Secretary of Transportation to the Technical Committee of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA).
As an active alumnus of Virginia Tech, he was a tireless volunteer to several boards including The Civil and Environmental Engineering Alumni Advisory Board (CEE), the College of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board (COE), National Board of Directors of the VT Alumni Association and in 2006 he was inducted into the CEE Academy of Distinguished Alumni. Doug represented the true embodiment of Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) as well as being an avid Hokie sports fan; he especially enjoyed cheering for the Tech football team.
In both his professional and personal life, Doug had tireless positive energy and was a passionate force with a great sense of humor. He possessed a sharp intellect and quick wit that allowed his many successes over his lifetime. True to his engineering background, he was meticulous and analytical; at times he could be unrelenting and possibly demanding in order to get his point across but only because he believed strongly that whatever the task, it should be approached and completed with an outcome of excellence. He tried to always look for and expected the best in others and in turn wanted to give his best to whatever activity in which he was involved. He perfected the art of conversation and did not know a stranger especially if they were patient enough to listen to whatever the discussion. He frequently was among the last to leave a function as he had the ability to make any story longer than need be; he delighted in talking and meeting people. Few conversations were ever brief. He often said that by talking with people- you shrink the world and frequently discussions would lead to a connection of mutual friends or acquaintances.
He enjoyed spending time with his wife and family, especially his grandson, where on many instances, they managed to get into some kind of mischief- no one is sure as to the instigator. He loved gardening and being outdoors, especially if it was the Caribbean in the winter. He and his wife particularly enjoyed the island of Anguilla where they have spent several weeks every winter for the past 15 years.
Doug was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend; he will be missed by all who knew him. He was blessed with two wonderful marriages; he was preceded in death by his first wife Donna and survived by his wife Laurie. He is also survived by daughter Julie, son-in-law Randy, grandson Chase as well as his sister Renee Adams and two nephews Rob and Geoff Adams and his wife Jetta.
A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held on Wed. August 29th at Stone Tower Winery, 19925 Hogback Mountain Rd, Leesburg, VA 20175 from 2-5 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the following:
For Pulmonary Fibrosis Research: Checks should be made to Inova Health Foundation and mailed to:
Inova Health Foundation; Lung Transplant Fund #306; 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 200 East; Falls Church, VA 22042. In the memo line, or in a separate note, please indicate in memory of Doug Fahl.
For Va. Tech Civil Engineering: Checks should be made to the Virginia Tech Foundation and mailed to:
CEE Department; Attention Sam Easterling; 750 Drillfield Drive – MS0105; Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 In the memo line, or in a separate note, please indicate the contribution be directed to
CEE – Doug Fahl Memorial Fund. Please share online condolences with the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com
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