Holden, Otto

BASc, CE, DEng, DSc, PEng 
1T3 Civil 
Inducted: 1983 

Otto Holden served the Ontario Hydro Electric Power Commission for 47 years, during which time he was involved in almost every Hydro-Electric project in the province.

In 1913, he joined the Commission as draftsman in the Hydraulic Department, and rose through several levels of responsibility to become, in 1947, Assistant General Manager, Engineering.

Holden undertook a consulting Engineering assignment for the Snowy Mountain Hydro-Electric Authority of Australia in 1954. In 1955, he administered the Commission’s planning, Engineering, construction, research and supply divisions.

A career highlight occurred in 1958, when he pushed the button to set into operation the St. Lawrence Power and Seaway Project. He received numerous honours and awards, among them the renaming of the La Cave plant to the Otto Holden G.S., and Honourary Doctorate of Engineering from University of Toronto (1944), the Engineering Alumni Medal (1960) and an Honourary Doctorate of Science from Queen’s University (1961).

Achievements

  • Contributed greatly to the expansion of hydro-electric power in Ontario
  • Gained international reputation as Hydro-Electric consultant
  • President of the Engineering Alumni Association from 1945 to 1948