By the time Joseph Sullivan was hired as general superintendent of the Sewerage & Water Board 35 years ago, he was already a seasoned engineer and construction expert. A native of New Orleans, he received his civil engineering degree from Tulane University 58 years ago. His guiding influence, technical expertise and institutional knowledge of the city’s sewerage, water and drainage systems have provided the backbone of the SWB’s operations and capital projects for decades. So if Mr. Sullivan had decided a few years back to retire from service, he would already have been remembered as something of a legend in civil engineering circles.

But Mr. Sullivan chose not to fade away. In fact, he was there for New Orleans in her moment of greatest crisis. With his house destroyed and the city he had served under rising water, the octogenarian went into action. He led his troops from the field and slept in makeshift quarters. A Navy veteran of the Pacific theater in World War II, he’s no stranger to the dangers water poses. He quickly organized to ensure that employees trapped by floodwaters got help, and even sought to participate in rescue excursions to pump stations. He also mobilized the SWB to ensure that it provided the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the materials to plug levee breaks. He stayed alongside his staff in keeping SWB’s pumps running to dewater the city.

Those who look for inspiration can find a shining emblem of dedication in Mr. Sullivan’s many years of service, overseeing multiple systems in a massive urban sewerage, water and drainage network.