Irving

Irving Van Arnam Huie was born in New York City on March 8, 1890, the oldest child and son of Huie Kin Kwong and Louise Van Arnam. Irving grew up in New York City with his six sisters and two brothers. Irving graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree in 1911.

In the five years following his college graduation, Irving studied railroad operation and improvements in both the United States and Brazil. Irving was a member of the New York National Guard, 7th Regiment, Company B. In 1916, his unit was called up for service on the Mexican border during the Mexican Expedition. In 1917, upon the entry of the United States into World War I, Irving was assigned to the 1st United States Army Engineers with which he served in France as Lieutenant, Captain and Major. During 1918 and 1919, he served as Senior Instructor of Engineering at the Officers Training School at Camp Humphreys, Virginia.

After the war, Irving returned to New York City. At that time he was interested in bridge and highway construction. He returned to civilian life as Second Deputy Highway Commissioner. In 1920, he resigned that position and entered into a partnership with Frederick Stuart Green. From 1922 to 1927, Irving was associated with David Schoentag, Inc. and from 1927 to 1930 was engaged in general construction.

Irving married Irene Francis Gartland on October 15, 1927. A graduate of Teachers College of New York, Irene worked as a teacher at various NYC public schools. At 38 years of age, Irving became the father of Irving Raymond Huie in Catskill, New York on September 30, 1928. A year later, his second son Robert Edwin Huie was born in Saugerties, New York on October 27, 1929.

He was employed as Chief Engineer at the New York City Department of Public Works in New York, New York in January 1938. He served as the Director of Civil Defense in New York City from 1942 to 1945, and then as President of the NYC Board of Water Supply on July 10, 1945.

Irving died on August 30, 1957 in Great Neck, New York at the age of 67.