GARTH E. FEENEY: An Engineer's
Shortcut
Earning
an engineering degree from the University of Pennsylvania
typically takes five years. But it was not the fact that
Garth E. Feeney did it in four years while also majoring
in business. It was everything else he did at the same
time that amazed his family.
Mr. Feeney, 28, who was at a conference at Windows on
the World on Sept. 11, tutored an illiterate adult,
established a program for poor children, worked for
campus security, was a dorm counselor, a representative
on the university's board of trustees and worked for
Habitat for Humanity. "He was one of these people who did
everything and anything," said his mother, Judy
Feeney.
Even after he moved to New York, where he was director
of corporate development for Data Synapse in Manhattan,
he kept up the pace of activities. He was a rock climber,
a scuba diver, a kayaker and an avid in- line skater. He
loved gliding through Central Park whenever he got the
chance.
One thing his parents did not know, until they heard
tales from friends at his memorial service, was that Mr.
Feeney was exceptionally frugal. Even as he earned a
decent income, he refused to take a taxi anywhere -- not
even to the airport -- and loved using coupons, including
ones for the fast-food spot Subway, where he would buy
one sandwich (lunch) and get one free (dinner). "We
weren't aware that he was quite that economical," his
mother said.
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