Ralph M. Parsons

Ralph Monroe Parsons (c. 1896 – 20 December 1974) was an American engineer and businessman.[1] He was the founder of the Parsons Corporation.[2]

Biography

Born in 1896 in Springs, Long Island,[1] Parsons was interested in engineering from an early age.

At age 13, he opened a garage and machine shop in Amagansett, Long Island, with his older brother.[1] He studied steam and machine design at Pratt Institute, and graduated in 1916.[2] He enlisted in the US Navy as a machinist's mate, with intentions to get training and experience in aeronautical engineering, and was discharged in 1921 as a lieutenant (j.g.). After that he took a job as a civilian aeronautical engineer for the Navy, till the mid-1920s when he left to specialize in oil refinery engineering.[1][2]

During World War II, Parsons formed a partnership with Stephen D. Bechtel (later his chief rival) and John A. McCone (later head of the Central Intelligence Agency). In 1944, he founded Ralph M. Parsons Company.[2] The company managed the construction of petroleum refineries, chemical plants, mines, metallurgical facilities, missile and space vehicle launching facilities and nuclear plants.[2]

Parsons remained chairman and chief executive officer of the company until his death.[2] He died aged 78 in December 1974 in San Marino, California.[3] The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation is named after him.