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Obituaries - Featured Headline

Texas Builder Leo Linbeck Jr. Took on High-Profile Causes
06/18/13 By Tony Illia
Probe of Texas A&M University bonfire structure's fatal collapse in 1999 was led by Houstonian, who died on June 8.

ESPN

Visionary Arizona Architect Paolo Soleri Dies at 93
04/16/13 By Scott Blair in Phoenix
Architect sought to integrate structures, including this bridge in Scottsdale, "into the living biosphere of the planet."

Cosanti Foundation

More Obituaries

06/18/13	Architect-philanthropist Jon McKee Dies at 86 By Yue Jiang Co-founder of Boston-area design firm SMMA also launched and funded a program of travel grants for architecture students.
06/05/13	Los Angeles BIM Pioneer Michael Cervantes Dies Suddenly at 38 By Debra K. Rubin BIM guru for L.A. County’s $6-billion community college upgrade implemented what was a widely touted BIM standard; July 31 online tributes deadline.
06/05/13	Joe Loring, World Trade Center Electrical Engineer, Dies at 86 By Debra K. Rubin Founder and former CEO-chairman of New York-based electrical-mechanical design firm started his career on top-secret work for the U.S. Army.
05/14/13	Architect and Marketing Advocate Ron Garikes Dies at 54 By Debra K. Rubin Architect executive was a former president and life member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services.
05/10/13	Tom Traylor, Who Grew Contractor Traylor Bros. Into Tunneling Giant, Is Dead By Debra K. Rubin Second-generation engineer CEO was lauded for entrepreneurial and business instincts.
04/29/13	Architect Graham Downes, 55, Dies in San Diego Assault By Tony Illia Firm manager pleads not guilty to murder charge in beating death of noted West Coast urban designer; hearing is set for May 11.
04/16/13	George Schaefer, 84, Who Led a 1980s Caterpillar Transformation, Is Dead Accountant became CEO and chairman of the equipment giant at a time of losses, labor strife and growing global competition.
04/01/13	Engineer William F. Guyton, 95, Turned Groundwater Study Into Early Business Texan was early U.S. Geological Survey employee in hydrology and started one of first groundwater consultants in 1950s.
03/07/13	Houston Architect Bill Kendall, 70, Was a Favored Design Partner By Tony Illia Humble designer worked well with star architects and developers on landmark U.S. buildings.
03/07/13	Forensic Bridge Engineer-Researcher Mark Moore, 55, Dies Suddenly By Debra K. Rubin Wiss, Janney Elstner principal helped launch pioneering research center in bridge and structural testing.
03/07/13	Structural Engineer W. Gene Corley, 77, Led High-Profile Collapse Investigations By Nadine Post Expert, on site at 110-story World Trade Center towers in 2001 (right), led numerous probes of building failures in a 50-year career.
03/04/13	Bricklayers' President Jack Joyce, 77, Pushed for Workers By Debra K. Rubin Union chief sought labor and political harmony in 20-year term but fought to preserve the union's interests
02/28/13	L. Gene Suhr, 79, Was CH2M Hill Wastewater Plant Design Innovator By Debra K. Rubin CH2M Hill executive spurred the firm’s rise to top ranks of water-wastewater design over a 35-year career.
02/27/13	Engineer Chet Schirmer, 84, Was Fire Protection Pioneer He led firm that influenced sprinkler system changes and fire safety design in tall buildings.
02/27/13	Kris Nielsen, 67, Raised the Bar on Megaproject Risk Management The engineer-attorney was a noted author and lecturer.
02/27/13	Stephen Byrne, 69, Pushed Contractor Certification By Debra K. Rubin Project executive-academic helped shape construction program at Texas A&M University
02/20/13	Guy Tozzoli, 90, Pushed Construction of World Trade Center By Debra K. Rubin New York Port Authority manager went on to found a global association to promote world trade center development around the world.
02/11/13	California Pipeline Contractor Floyd Johnston, 72, Killed in Plane Crash By Tony Illia Cause of Jan. 6 crash, which also killed a company employee, 28, is not known.
02/06/13	Black Engineer Matthew L. Jones, 82, Was 38 Year Illinois DOT Veteran By Tony Illia Indiana Institute of Technology graduate also was active for decades in the growth of Aurora, Ill., the state's second-largest city.
02/06/13	London Olympics Designer John Hopkins Dies Suddenly at 59 By Tony Illia Landscape architect led team whose green space design has transformed a once-derelict part of London.
01/14/13	Utah Building Contractor Jay Wadman, 85, Built Leading Western Firm By Tony Illia Construction firm founder also was active in funding scholarships for Native Americans.
01/10/13	Leading Philadelphia Architect James N. Kise II and Dam Safety Advocate Kenith Miller By Tony Illia Designer aided in transformation of historic icons; civil engineer helped enact safety rules in Georgia after fatal dam collapse
01/10/13	Obituary and Tributes: Noted Architecture Critic Ada Louise Huxtable Writer "set the standard for architectural criticism in our time."
12/11/12	Obituary: Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer, 104, Saw Cities of Curves By Nildo Carlos Oliveira/O Empreiteiro in Rio de Janeiro and Debra K. Rubin Not all favored the architect's design of the now iconic new capital of Brasilia, but local engineers say he pushed them to innovate.
12/05/12	John Cavanagh, 77, Was Leader in New York City Union Building By Debra K. Rubin UPDATE: A public memorial service will be held on Jan. 24 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan for John A. Cavanagh.
12/05/12	Joe Wilkinson, 87, Was First ENR Editor to Cover Vietnam War Construction By Debra K. Rubin, with Scott Lewis Veteran editor also pioneered coverage of facilities in Antarctica in four decades of writing that "defied" editing.
11/26/12	Dick Holmgren, CEO of Global Designer MWH Component Firm JMM, is Dead Engineer who helped champion the firm’s first stock ownership plan, was 84
10/17/12	NTSB Early Review Is Unclear on Cause of Rail Execs' Crash By Debra K. Rubin Fatal accident near Gary, Ind., killed two veteran rail construction consultants Patsy Crisafi (right), the aircraft pilot, and Vinnie Vaccarello, who were Florida-based business associates.
10/05/12	Gene Boeke, 86, Concrete Construction Guru, Is Dead By Debra K. Rubin One-time Beers Construction water boy, became firm vice president and industry author and activist on best practices
09/19/12	John Lamberson, Construction Surety Pioneer, Is Dead By ENR staff John Lamberson, Surety Executive, Is Dead
09/12/12	New Jersey Builder Benedict J. Torcivia Sr. Is Dead at 82 By ENR Staff Architectural engineer grew Torcon Inc. into a leading pharmaceuticals industry builder whose sons have succeeded him as firm president.
09/05/12	'Father' of Wind Engineering, Jack E. Cermak, Is Dead By Debra K. Rubin The researcher-practitioner, 89, whose innovative wind tunnel at Colorado State University attracted many visitors such as artist Andy Warhol in 1971 (right), pioneered wind-resistant design techniques that are standard today.
08/24/12	Cancer Claims Chiefs at Leading Contractor, Engineer and Architect By Debra K. Rubin and Tony Illia Industry top execs Ric Licata of Reno architect Licata Hansen Associates, Stephen Barlow of Massachusetts contractor J.F. White and Brock Johnson of Arkansas design firm Garver were company veterans and active in industry.
08/22/12	1970s Foster Wheeler CEO, Who Fought Takeover, Is Dead By Debra K. Rubin Frank A. Lee helped reverse sliding revenue but declined to move the contractor into the then-booming nuclear market.
07/18/12	Obituary: Bill Larson, 88, Co-Founded Architect Giant DLR Group By Debra K. Rubin Larson co-founded Overland Park, Kan.-based design firm DLR Group, which now has 500 employees and 2011 revenue of $110 million.
07/16/12	Bruce Woolpert, CEO of California Materials Firm, Dies in Boating Accident at 61 By Debra K. Rubin Chief of Granite Rock, a former corporate sibling of Granite Construction, grew the family business and was active in community and education circles.
06/29/12	Bill Kennedy Dead at 69, Pioneered Tunnel Ventilation Techniques By Aileen Cho A Parsons Brinckerhoff senior engineer and vice president who developed transit design tools that became industry standards, died of cancer.
06/12/12	Consultant Don L. Short II, 60, Stressed Estimating Fundamentals By Richard Korman The founder of Tempest Co. was a crusader for estimating fundamentals and a much-read and controversial communicator.
05/31/12	Jim McMinimee, Utah's Super Fast Bridge Builder, is Dead at 51 By Aileen Cho Engineer who pioneered accelerated approaches in state and nationally, dies of undisclosed natural causes.
05/08/12	Ted C. Kennedy, Who Led Contractor BE&K and Pushed Industry Change, Dies at 81 By Debra K. Rubin and Mary B. Powers Activist embraced open shop but advocated for craft labor and allied with organized labor and owners to boost industry safety, productivity and image
05/07/12	Howard Turner, Last in Family to Lead Turner Construction, Dies at 100 By Debra K. Rubin Former CEO joined the firm after a long outside career in research chemistry.
05/07/12	Noted Stanford U. Seismic Engineer Helmut Krawinkler Dies at 72 By Nadine M. Post Krawinkler is credited with laying the foundation for performance-based seismic design.
04/16/12	Barrier-Breaking Architect John S. Chase Dies in Texas at 87 By ENR staff African-American was first architecture grad of University of Texas and first allowed entry in professional societies, among other milestones.
04/16/12	Veteran Project Manager James R. Endler is Dead By ENR staff New York City-based construction executive, whose projects included the World Trade Center and London’s Canary Wharf, was 82.
04/09/12	Architect-Engineer CHSQA Loses Last Surviving Founder By Debra K. Rubin Lured from Kansas to Boise, Neil H. Smull pioneered energy efficient design in 1970s
04/09/12	Kentucky Design-Builder Loses Co-Founder and Matriarch at 91 By Debra K. Rubin Lois H. Gray kept Gray Construction on track after 1972 death of husband and co-founder James N. Gray.
04/09/12	N.J. Road-Utility Contracting Giant J. Fletcher Creamer Sr. is Dead By Debra K.Rubin Founder’s son pushed construction firm into new realms in Garden State and beyond
04/09/12	Robert V. Whitman and John Lowe III, Geotechnical Pioneers, Are Dead By Debra K. Rubin Engineers pushed limits of knowledge in earthquake engineering and use of roller-compacted concrete in dams.
04/08/12	Building Trades Confirm Sudden Death of President Mark Ayers April 8 By Debra K. Rubin Executive, who had an apparent fatal heart attack, was the first non-general president of a union to win the top spot.
03/19/12	Engineer and Composites Guru Ivan M. Viest Is Dead At 89 By Debra K. Rubin Researcher was a pioneer in load and resistance factor design for buildings and bridges
02/27/12	HOK Principal Who Guided Global Growth Dies at 75 By Debra K. Rubin Gerard G. Gilmore served in numerous marketing and business development roles over 40 years.
02/27/12	Worker Illness Researcher Steven Levin Dies at 70 of Cancer By Debra K. Rubin Director of N.Y.’s Selikoff Center studied impacts of 9/11 site toxins, asbestos and silica dust
02/03/12	Trench Safety Firm President Dies in Plane Crash By Debra K. Rubin Tom Coble was pilot, but the cause of the accident is not yet known, says the company.
11/07/11	Cynthia Whitaker, 69, Former ISEC Vice President By Debra K. Rubin Whitaker, 69, was the former preconstruction vice president at ISEC Inc., Englewood, Colo.
11/07/11	Lynn Bellenger, First Woman To Head 55,000-Member ASHRAE Group, Dies at 62 By Debra K. Rubin Energy software expert led 55,000-member group in 2010-2011
10/17/11	Burton S. Sperber, Landscape Architecture 'Magician,' Dies at 82 By Debra K. Rubin Valley Crest founder and former CEO grew California firm to nearly $1 billion before recession
10/10/11	California Earthquake Research Pioneer Joe Penzien Dies at 86 By Debra K. Rubin California academic-consultant developed the first modern shake table and pioneered earthquake engineering research.
10/10/11	Grouting Expert A. Clive Houlsby Dies in Australia By Debra K. Rubin Civil engineer and well-known lecturer advocated a controversial grout formula change that now has become an industry standard.
10/10/11	Michigan Construction Leader Ben C. Maibach Jr. Is Dead at 91 By Debra K. Rubin One-time laborer rose to chairman of building giant Barton Malow Co.
09/14/11	Industry Social Media Leader Imad Naffa Dies Suddenly of Heart Attack at Age 49 By Debra K. Rubin,with Laurie Meisel and Scott Judy Dubbed the “Twitter King” by BusinessNewsDaily.com, an online publication for startups, Naffa claimed more than 56,000 followers.
09/09/11	Imad Naffa, Social Media Pioneer, Dies Suddenly By Debra K. Rubin, with Laurie Meisel and Scott Judy Jordanian-born civil engineer and prolific on-line communicator, suffered fatal heart attack at age 49 on Sept. 7
08/29/11	James Poirot, CH2M Hill Exec, is Dead at 79 James Poirot, industry executive and engineer, led an epic and controversial effort to develop an industry-wide project quality control manual.
08/24/11	Bud Nelson, Fire Safety Engineering Innovator, Dead at 82 By Debra K. Rubin Government engineer set benchmarks for specialized discipline in 60-year career
08/01/11	Former ENR Researcher Turnay, 82, Dies A graduate of Wellesley with a B.A. in English literature, Turnay spoke English, German, French, and Polish.
08/01/11	Former ENR Researcher Turnay, 82, Dies By Laura Mirviss A graduate of Wellesley with a B.A. in English literature, Turnay spoke English, German, French, and Polish.
08/01/11	PSI President Hal Branum Dies at Age 69 By Laura Mirviss A 32-year veteran of the PSI, Branum led many of its high-profile projects.
07/06/11	Labor Arbiter is Dead at 89 By Tom Ichniowski John C. Truesdale served five terms on National Labor Relations Board
07/06/11	Sears Tower Builder Dies at 78 By Laura Mirviss Richard Halpern, who co-founded Chicago CM firms Schal and RISE, passed away at the age of 78.
06/29/11	Curtain-Wall Testing Pioneer 'Sak' Sakhnovsky is Dead at 84 By Tony Illia Chemist turned a university lab into the world’s first and largest testing facility.
06/29/11	25-Year U.S. Capitol Architect George White Dies in Maryland at 90 By Debra K. Rubin The first practicing architect to hold the job in a century, White created a master plan and won cheers and some jeers for his efforts.
06/27/11	U.S. Subcontractor Group Loses National President By Debra K. Rubin Obituaries
06/22/11	Former PCL President Dies By Debra K. Rubin Former PCL head dies at 74.
06/06/11	Ex-Fluor CEO Les McCraw Dies After Long Bout With Cancer By Debra K. Rubin Leslie G. “Les” McCraw, who expanded Fluor Corp. into a global diversified powerhouse in the 1990s as chairman and CEO but whose forays were costly and prompted successors to shed non-core businesses, died on May 25 in Greenville, S.C., at age 75.
05/04/11	Arthur Witters, Builder of USAF Academy, Dies By Debra Rubin Arthur G. Witters, among the first construction graduates of the University of Florida, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and a key figure in managing design, construction and early operation of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., died on April 16 in Orlando at age 91.
05/04/11	Frank Stahl, Engineer on Key N.Y. Bridges, Is Dead By Debra K. Rubin Frank L. Stahl, 91, a Holocaust survivor who became a noted bridge designer and the chief engineer at Ammann & Whitney Consulting Engineers PC, at which he built and rehabbed many major U.S. spans and highways, died on April 17 in Sandy Springs, Ga.
05/04/11	Vegas Labor Negotiator Jack Schaefer Dies at 64 By Tony Illia Jack Schaefer, a respected labor negotiator in Las Vegas, president of the Nevada Contractors Association and a board member of several union trusts and apprenticeship programs, died on April 15 in that city. He was 64 and had pancreatic cancer, according to the association.
04/13/11	Obituaries: Raymon Dones, Erich Sennebogen Sr. Raymon P. Dones, a contractor and industry activist who paved the way for minority contractors in construction, died on March 25 in Oakland, Calif. He was 93 and died of natural causes, says his son, Alan Dones, managing principal of Strategic Urban Development Alliance, a locally based developer.
04/06/11	Obituaries: Sir Frank Lampl, Robert A. Georgine By Peter Reina, with Debra Rubin Sir Frank Lampl, an engineer who turned a modest U.K. building firm into the global giant Bovis Construction Group and was its chairman and CEO for 16 years, died on March 24 in London of complications related to his World War II and post-war imprisonment. He was 84.

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