PCI Foundation Honors Charles Raths

Long time PCI Professional member Charles Raths passed away on April 19th in Nashville, Tennessee. Charles' technical contributions to PCI were extensive during his long association with the industry from the early 1960s and as a founder of Raths, Raths & Johnson until his retirement from the firm in 1995. His technical contributions included serving on the PCI Technical Committees, publishing nine technical papers in the PCI Journal -- including winning the Martin P. Korn Award in 1967 and 1984. He also was key reviewer of submitted technical papers for many years. George Nasser, Editor Emeritus, appreciated Mr. Raths' technical contributions to the Journal and their close relationship. Mr. Raths published 25 technical papers and articles over 40 years.

Preceded in death by parents Herbert and Marion and sister Martha; survived by wife Eleanor Loveland Raths; children Holly (Kyle Hart), Ruth (Peter Meijer), Linda (Peter Stark) and Jack (Bella); grandchildren Anne, Henry, Marika, Valora, and Benjamin; brothers Donald and Herbert.

Born August 3, 1934 in Zanesville, OH, Chuck graduated from East Aurora High School (NY) in 1952.  From 1955-57, he served in the U.S. Army as part of the occupation based in Viernheim, Germany.  He earned a BS degree in 1959 from Michigan State University in civil engineering and an MS degree in 1960 also in civil engineering from MSU.  After work in design and research with various structural engineering firms, he founded his own company in 1966, which led to the addition of partners, Donald Raths and Robert Johnson, to become the widely respected firm of Raths, Raths & Johnson, Inc. (rrj.com).