Royal George Finch

Royal George Finch (August 17, 1884 – March 4, 1959) was an American civil engineer and politician from New York. He was the last New York State Engineer and Surveyor, in office from 1925 to 1926. He was a member of the New York State licensing board for engineers.

Early life Finch was born on August 17, 1884, in Eagle Bridge, New York to George Nelson Finch and Helen (née Hunt) Finch. He graduated in 1906 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in civil engineering.

In 1922, Finch worked for Norton Stone and Lime in Cobleskill, New York. He formed a private practice in 1923 and successfully ran for a state office in 1924. By 1926 he was a member of the New York State Water Power Commission.

In 1926, Democratic Governor Al Smith undertook a major re-organisation of the state administration, and the Engineer and Surveyor's Department was abolished, with its duties taken over by the New York State Department of Public Works. Finch returned to private practice, working as a consulting engineer. On April 30, 1930, President Herbert Hoover appointed Finch to the Interoceanic Canal Board. He was also a president of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni Council. He was a member of the Wadsworth Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He belonged to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church of Albany.

Finch died on March 4, 1959, in Albany, New York. He was buried in Mettowee Valley Cemetery in Granville, New York.