Siegfried Fassmann
Obituary

Siegfried Fassmann (Oct 16, 1942 - Sep 3, 2025) predeceased by his father, Josef, his mother,
Anna and his brother, Bruno Fassmann. He leaves behind his loving wife, Stella, and beloved
daughters, Julie and Lynn Murphy.

Siegfried was a civil engineer whose life‘s work helped shape the very paths that brought
communities closer, made commerce more efficient, and helped shape a more connected
future.

A graduate of the University of Technology, Munich, Germany, and later, earning his Master’s
degree from the University of Toronto, Canada, he quickly distinguished himself in the field of
transportation infrastructure. His work included the development of part of the city of Calgary‘s
light rail transit system. While working for BRW in Portland, Oregon, Siegfried served as the
Design Manager for the TriMet Westside MAX Blue Line Extension. This project involved extending
the light rail transit system from Southwest Portland under the West Hills of the suburban city of
Hillsboro. The extension included Washington Park Station, a 3-mile-long twin-bore tunnel under
the West Hills. The extension included Washington Park Station, which at the time was the
deepest transit station in North America, at least 260 feet below ground.

While employed at URS, Siegfried served as Project Manager for the Mission Valley East SDSU
Segment Light Rail Extension for the San Diego Trolley Green Line. The project designed and
constructed a tunnel under San Diego State University, connecting the Grantville and La Mesa
segments of the 6.9-mile extension. It also included the only underground transit station on the
San Diego Trolley system network.

In Seattle, Washington, Siegfried was the Senior Track Advisor on the Floating Bridge to develop a
track attachment system for the trackway across the I-90 floating rail structure crossing Lake
Washington.

While working for AECOM, Siegfried was the Design Project Manager during the construction
phase of the North County Transit District’s SPRINTER Rail project. The project involved building
a commuter rail line along the freight corridor between Oceanside and Escondido, California,
constructing 22 miles of new track and 15 new passenger stations, two new bridge structures
crossing over State Route 78 and a rail loop segment to serve the California State University at
San Marcos.

Other professional highlights included design build reviews for EXPO Phase II for the City of
Santa Monica; review of the PMOC World Trade Center-Calatrava Oculus Design and Subway
Extensions, FTA, NY; and Special Track Design for the Airport Extension, Salt Lake City, Utah.

While working at David Evans and Associates, Siegfried managed the design of numerous rail
transit projects for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), before retiring in 2015.

Siegfried was an avid skier, swimmer, and enthusiastic golfer, who loved to travel. In his
professional life, he was more than an engineer. He was a collaborator, a mentor, and a leader,
whose integrity guided every project. His colleagues remember him as a meticulous designer, a
generous teacher, and an advocate for safety, innovation, and excellence. He was a lifelong
member of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association.

Though Siegfried’s tracks may end here, the journey he made possible continues – – in every train
station that runs safely, in every bridge that holds strong, and in every young engineer inspired by
his example.

Siegfried will be deeply missed by family, friends and colleagues, and forever remembered.