ATLANTA – Hal Rives, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation from 1987-1991, died Tuesday morning after an extended illness. He was 81.

Rives, a Tucker resident who was originally from Texas, started his career with GDOT as a project engineer in 1953. He served the Department as a Bridge Designer, the State Road Design Engineer, the Chief Engineer and the Deputy Commissioner. He was the Deputy Commissioner under former GDOT Commissioner Tom Moreland and was appointed GDOT Commissioner on May 1, 1987, replacing Moreland.

“Hal worked tirelessly for this Department for 38 years. His level of dedication to ensuring that Georgians had a safe and sustainable transportation system is unmatched. He will be greatly missed,” said GDOT Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl.

Rives was president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in 1991 and won the prestigious Thomas MacDonald Memorial Award from AASHTO in 1992. The MacDonald Award is considered to be the highest award from AASHTO, and is given annually to persons “who have rendered continuous outstanding service over an extended period of time and have made some exceptional contributions to the art and science of highway engineering.”

“I would describe Hal Rives as a real workhorse,” said Moreland. “He was a very vigorous man, a great influence at the Georgia DOT.”A memorial service is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Christian Church, located at 4532 LaVista Road in Tucker. Turner Funeral Home of Decatur is in charge of arrangements.Rives is survived by his wife Barbara, son Jack, daughters Cathy and JoAnn and four grandchildren.

For general information on the Georgia Department of Transportation, refer to the Web site – www.dot.state.ga.us.