Hugh A. Krentz, who led the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) for more than two decades, died on November 7 at the age of 87. A graduate of the University of Manitoba, he worked as a civil engineer before joining CISC in 1960, where he served as president from 1978 until his retirement in 2001. Even after retiring, he remained active in the steel and construction communities, serving as chair of the Standards Council of Canada from 2001 to 2011, as executive director of CISC’s education council from 2001-2007, and as a consultant. He was also a member of the Canadian Welding Bureau’s (CWB) board of directors from 1979 through 2010. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada by the Governor General of Canada in 2012.
“Hugh’s work was instrumental in CISC’s success,” said Scott Melnick, senior vice president at the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). “Hugh was well known for his honesty and candor, as well as his dedication to Canada and commitment to the standards development process. Under his leadership, AISC and CISC worked on many projects together, including the North American Steel Construction Conference (now known as NASCC: The Steel Conference).”
His memory will live on through the CISC H.A. Krentz Research Award, the CWB Welding Foundation’s Hugh A. Krentz Exemplary Student Award, and the Standards Council of Canada’s Hugh Krentz Award.
“Hugh A. Krentz was an exemplary leader for the steel industry,” said former CISC regional director Sylvie Boulanger, PEng, PhD. “His strong technical expertise, coupled with his belief in the people he was serving, resulted in great strides in the development of standards, research, and education in Canada and internationally. He was an extraordinary engineer, mentor, and friend to so many of us. Hugh was witty, athletic, and a deeply committed family man. He will be missed.”