Bridging Past and Present
I moved to Los Angeles during World War II to await the homecoming of my soldier-husband from the South Pacific. I thought everything about L.A. was exciting and wonderful, including Merrill Butler’s bridges (“A Restoration of City Bridges and a Renewal of Civic Faith,” by James Ricci, Oct. 8). I’m so glad to read that the bridges are being retrofitted. I’m sure a plaque will be placed on each to give Butler and the bridges the dignity and respect they deserve.
Lucille C. Bell
Bakersfield
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The one person whose name needed to be mentioned in Ricci’s story was not. That person is Clark W. Robins, my father. Robins was the main driving force behind the bridge-restoration project. As the principal structural engineer for the Bureau of Engineering for the City of Los Angeles, he was responsible for the seismic retrofitting and restoration of the bridges. The project has been one of his greatest accomplishments, not only for him but for his entire department.
Albert R. Murphy
Whittier
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