Dr. George Donald Ashton, age 82, passed away on June 8, 2022 in Bradford, Vermont, at home after a long illness.

He is survived by his three daughters, Julie Ashton Riedel (and Kevin Riedel) of San Antonio, Texas; Pamela Ashton, of Bradford, Vermont, and Liz Mooy (and Jim Mooy) of Santa Barbara, California, twin brother William (and Ann) Ashton of Davenport, Iowa and James Ashton of Fort Worth, Texas. He is preceded in death by his sister, Janet (and Timothy) Ross, of Seattle, Washington.

George was born on December 7,1939, in Davenport, Iowa to parents Frank and Edna Ashton.  Dr. Ashton is an international expert on the study of ice jams, ice control, flooding, snow drifting, snow loads, and river ice. He received a BSCE degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa in 1961, an MSCE in civil engineering from the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona in 1963, and a PhD in mechanics and hydraulics from the University of Iowa, in 1971. From 1962 to 1964 he was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. From 1964 to 1967 he worked as a Structural Engineer for Bechtel Co. in San Francisco. After earning his PhD, he joined the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, New Hampshire. From 1990 to 1998, he was Chief Research and Engineering Directorate. Ashton has received the Straub Medal from the University of Minnesota, the Hilgard prize from ASCE, the Stevens Award from ASCE and most recently the 2002 Ice Research and Engineering Award by the International Association for Hydraulic Research.

The Professorship of Hydroscience and Engineering was named at the University of Iowa after George in 2014. George was also inducted into the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Academy in 2012.

George comes from a family of engineers, all who graduated from the University of Iowa, to include his father, uncles and brothers. George was a person of many interests.  In addition to engineering, George was an avid art collector of paintings, prints, and sculpture.  He collected decoys extensively and enjoyed sailing, telling jokes, and had an inventory or list for everything.

Family and friends are invited to call on June 14, 2022 from 5:00-6:30 followed by a brief celebration of life at Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School Street, Lebanon, NH. Burial will be in Clinton, Iowa.