Welch, former Charleston port director, dies

Former South Carolina State Ports Authority executive director W. Don Welch, 78, died Tuesday at his home in Florida.

Don Welch's many contributions to the state ports authority and economic development in this state are apparent now and will be felt for many years to come, said John F. Hassell III, interim president, chief executive officer and board secretary of the port authority. We in the port industry mourn the loss of a dedicated leader, consummate professional and friend. The entire Charleston maritime community extends our thoughts and prayers to his family during this time.   Welch served as executive director of the port authority from 1971 until 1996.

   The port noted that in his first year on the job he predicted, anything that can be containerized will be, and that he steered the Port of Charleston to successfully prepare for it.

   As executive director, Welch guided development of the Wando Terminal from the land purchase in 1972, to the terminal's opening in 1981, and its near completion in 1997. In 1994, the Wando Terminal was renamed the Wando Welch Terminal. He also led the major overhaul of the port authority's other facilities to provide open storage for containers.

   A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Welch obtained his BA in economics from the University of Florida in 1951 and his MS in transportation from the University of Tennessee in l956. During the Korean War, he served as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army.

   Welch received a number of honors including World Trade Man of the Year by the Propeller Club of Charleston; the Distinguished Service Award granted by the Southern Growth Policies Board; and was named the University of Tennessee's Distinguished Alumnus for 1981. In April 1991 he was presented the Harry E. Salzberg Memorial Medallion by the School of Management at Syracuse University. Welch served as the 1981 chairman of the American Association of Port Authorities.

   In 1990, the College of Charleston established the W. Don Welch Medallion to be awarded in Welch's honor for meritorious contributions in the transportation industry.

Source: American Shipper