Werner H. Quasebarth, retired CEO of Atlas Machine and Iron Works, Inc. and former AISC Chairman (1985-1987) and Director (1977-1998), died on December 26, 2018, at the age of 87. He was dedicated to an active life of service through his leadership in industry and community organizations.
Quasebarth served as Chairman and CEO of Atlas, which was founded by his father in 1931, from 1975 until his retirement in 1998. Atlas engineered, fabricated and constructed heavy metal weldments for steel bridges, complex multi-story buildings and nuclear power plants. Notable achievements include the construction of the Netherlands Carillon near Arlington National Cemetery, the original control tower at Dulles International Airport, the FBI Building in Washington, D.C., and many highway and interstate bridges. Participating in the construction of the World Trade Center was a hallmark of Quasebarth's career and a source of pride to Atlas' many highly qualified engineers and steel workers.
In addition to AISC, Quasebarth served as a director and Chair of the the American Welding Institute and as counselor to the American Welding Society. He was also an active member of the Young Presidents' Organization; a director of Ross Industries, the National Capital Bank, and the C.M. Russell Museum in Montana; and a member of the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board.
Former AISC president and Board Member Louis Gurthet has fond memories of Quasebarth, noting, "Werner was a gracious and true gentleman who provided leadership during important times of AISC’s history."
Quasebarth was known for his sense of adventure, love of storytelling and drive, especially in supporting his team to be creative regarding steel fabrication. Arthur Miles, former president at Atlas, said "Werner was unique in the industry. He would look, assess and try developing new pieces of equipment to fit the growing needs. He was not a sedentary person at all. He would go to conferences and everyone would be waiting for his return, anxious about 'what crazy thing is he going to come back with.' He pushed us and he pushed the industry."