Sherwin P. Asrow, an esteemed structural engineer who worked on numerous landmark buildings in Chicago, died last month at 101 years old.
Asrow had a hand in the construction of Chase Tower, McCormick Place, Willis Tower and other iconic structures during his illustrious career. He passed away Oct. 3 in his Highland Park home, which he designed and built 67 years ago, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Asrow’s legacy goes beyond his individual projects, as he co-founded the Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings, a nonprofit advisory group promoting collaboration among architects, engineers and building owners in the high-rise construction industry.
Born in Chicago, Asrow graduated from Crane Technical High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He served as a 1st class electronic technician mate in the Navy during World War II.
Asrow served as a structural engineer for C.F. Murphy Associates from 1947 until 1976, playing a crucial role in designing structures such as Mercy Hospital, Water Tower Place and O’Hare International Airport’s Terminal 1.
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In 1976, Asrow established his own firm, S.P. Asrow Associates, and continued to make significant contributions to Chicago’s skyline. He oversaw the design of antennas on the Willis Tower and worked on the American Girl Place retail space in Water Tower Place.
Asrow’s commitment to his craft and the Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings continued even into his centenarian years, attending meetings and offering his wealth of knowledge. He also published a book about his career earlier this year, the outlet said.
Services have been held to honor Asrow’s life and contributions to the field of structural engineering.
—Quinn Donoghue