Robert Beauchamp, past president of the National Institute of Steel Detailing (NISD), passed away on July 31 at the age of 65.
Beauchamp was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and lived there all his life. After graduating from high school in the late 1960s, he found his way into structural steel detailing, attending a trade school where architectural and structural detailing were taught. He gained most of his experience working for steel fabrication shops in the Montreal area, until he founded his first company, R.B. Designs, in 1976. He started exploring the U.S. market in 1979 and never stopped. He was most recently president of Datadraft Structural Detailing Systems, Inc., an AISC member.
A big supporter of all steel-related organizations, Beauchamp was an active member of AISC, the New England Steel Detailers Association (NESDA) and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC). He served as NISD’s president from 2007 to 2011 and previously served as vice president and secretary/treasurer. He founded the Institute’s Quebec Chapter and was active on its Guidelines Committee and NASCC Committee, and also conceptualized its website.
He is survived by four children and one grandchild.