AISC and the entire structural steel industry is saddened to learn about the passing of an industry leader, Richard C. Kaehler, P.E. He lost his battle with cancer last Wednesday, March 25, the day he was to receive an AISC Lifetime Achievement Award at NASCC: The Steel Conference in Nashville. He was 60 years old.
Kaehler was actively involved in the development of the AISC Specification and Manual for many years. He served as editorial chair of the Specification for 10 years and was a member of several AISC task committees. He also served as a consultant on a number of AISC manuals, including the HSS Connections Design Manual, the 3rd Edition LRFD Manual and the 13th and 14th editions of the Steel Construction Manual.
“We will all miss Dick’s quiet, yet always wise and steadfast, demeanor,” said Cynthia J. Duncan, AISC’s director of engineering. “His many contributions to the Specification and Manual will not be forgotten.”
Kaehler joined Computerized Structural Design (CSD), S.C., in 1982; he was named associate in 1986 and principal in 1989. He was responsible for structural failure investigations, structural testing, structural analysis and design, product research and vibration studies, as well as many computer programs used by CSD and its clients.
He is survived by his wife, Suzanne.