Professional Surveyor and Land Title Abstracter and Pioneer

Mary C. Feindt attended Albion College where she received her AB degree in 1937, followed by attendance at the University of Michigan where she obtained her BS degree in Geodesy and Surveying in 1938 and her MS degree in Civil Engineering in 1944. She became licensed as a Michigan professional surveyor in 1944 and was registered in the state of Illinois in 1987. She is licensed as a land title examiner for six major title insurance underwriters. Mary Feindt received an honorary doctorate of business and industry degree from Ferris State University in 1999 for her tireless contributions to the surveying and land title professions.

Dr. Feindt has attained many years of renowned expertise in both the land title and surveying professions. She began her professional career as an assistant to the owners of Charlevoix Abstract & Engineering Company in 1938. In 1944, she purchased the company and later, when it was incorporated, she became its president.

Dr. Feindt has performed and directed thousands of land surveys in various parts of Michigan, and has additionally prepared numerous abstracts of title and title examinations. During the years, she has devoted much effort to coordinating the results of title investigations and survey analyses to engender definitive property descriptions. She has performed title searches for many of the large utility companies and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Affiliations include the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, National Society of Professional Surveyors, The Michigan Engineering Society, the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors, The Illinois Professional Land Surveyor's Association, the Michigan Land Title Association and the American Land Title Association.

Dr. Feindt has served as a liaison between the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping and the American Land Title Association and has been very active in the achievement of accuracy standards relative to ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys Standards. She has spoken to numerous state, national and international surveying organizations. Her writings have been published in Title News (American Land Title Association), proceedings of the Michigan Society of Registered Land Surveyors, Surveying and Mapping (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping) and POB. The "Mary C. Feindt Award" was named for her on July 17, 1987, to be given annually for dedicated service to the Michigan Land Title Association. In 1993 she received an award from Ferris State, College of Technology for outstanding service to the profession of surveying engineering.

Dr. Feindt has been the Charlevoix County Surveyor since 1944. She served on the Michigan State Board of Land Surveyors from 1979 through 1984. She was appointed by the Governor to the State Survey and Remonumentation Commission in 1991, and also served as a commissioner to FIG, an international surveying association, to actively represent the profession of surveying. Dr. Feindt received the Outstanding Older Worker Award from Michigan from Green Thumb in 1998.

Dr. Mary Feindt has passed away January 29, 2003 after fighting a battle with cancer for several years.  Mary has led a full life and contributed much to this world in so many ways.  We are grateful for all she's taught us and hope to honor the legacy she's left us.