Charles Lee Powell

Charles Lee Powell was an American structural engineer and entrepreneur. He invented and patented new methods for building concrete structures underground, and is credited with building much of Los Angeles’ early infrastructure.
He was also very well known as a philanthropist and set up many fellowships and research grants. Since the opening of the first Powell Laboratory in 1986, the Charles Lee Powell Foundation has donated over $24 million in research monies.
He died age 96.
The University of Southern California has a Charles Lee Powell Hall designed by William Pereira in his honor.