Charles Alvin Diver, civil engineer, veteran

Charles Alvin Diver, a civil engineer and World War II veteran, died of a stroke Jan. 24 at Oak Crest Village retirement community in Parkville. He was 86.

Mr. Diver, who was born in Baltimore and raised in the Hamilton neighborhood, graduated from Polytechnic Institute. In 1942, he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Johns Hopkins University. He was commissioned by the Army Corps of Engineers on the day of his graduation, and he served in Algeria, Tunisia, Italy, France and Germany, attaining the rank of major. His division built or rebuilt bridges so Allied soldiers could advance to the front lines.

Back home in Baltimore after the war, Mr. Diver earned a master's degree in civil engineering from Hopkins and, with two brothers, started the Diver Brothers engineering firm in 1952. The firm worked on many of the bridges that make up the Baltimore Beltway, including the triple-decker bridge where the beltway meets Interstate 70.

Mr. Diver was recalled by the Corps of Engineers during the Korean War and served in Washington. Also, for over 40 years, he taught civil engineering courses at Hopkins. He lived most of his life in Hamilton.

Mr. Diver, who did not marry, is survived by brothers Warren Lee Diver and Ellsworth Noel Diver, both of Baltimore.