Masonry Magazine December 1987 Page. 30
Obituaries
Wilbur M. Wyse
We regretfully inform you of the sudden death of Wilbur M. Wyse, President and Founder of Bil-Jax, Inc., on September 24th from injuries received in an automobile accident. Mr. Wyse founded Bil-Jax, Inc. in 1947 in Archbold, Ohio, and was active in its management until his death. He was active in many trade and safety associations and in civic and church related activities. He is survived by his wife and four children.
Alan H. Yorkdale
Alan H. Yorkdale, BIA Vice President of Engineering and Research, passed away at the age of 56 following a sudden heart attack on Sunday, November 15. Alan will be sorely missed by the industry whose members have come to rely upon him not only for his vast engineering expertise, but for his laughter and friendship.
Alan Yorkdale came to BIA (then known as the Structural Clay Products Institute) in 1960 as a Staff Engineer. Prior to his 1980 promotion to Vice President of Engineering and Research, Mr. Yorkdale served as Director and Deputy Director of Engineering and Research, and Construction Engineer.
Mr. Yorkdale's continued leadership was most pronounced in the areas of standards development and masonry technology/research. In 1982, he was elected to the Board of Directors of ASTM, an internationally recognized management system for voluntary standards. In 1985, that organization honored Mr. Yorkdale with the ASTM Award of Merit, and named him an ASTM Fellow.
As one of the industry's most active representatives on seismic issues, Mr. Yorkdale served on the Building Seismic Safety Council's Board of Directors.
Before his years with BIA, Mr. Yorkdale served in the U.S. Air Force as an Installations Engineer. He worked with the Washington Gas Light Company from 1950 to 1958, and held the position of Sales and Field Engineer with Lawrencewood, Inc. from 1958-1960.
A native of Washington, D.C.. Mr. Yorkdale studied Civil Engineering at Montgomery College, George Washington University, and the University of Virginia.
Dur-O-wal Acquired
In a transaction completed on October 21, 1987, Dur-O-waL, Inc. and its Canadian subsidiary were acquired by its President, Mario J. Catani and Omni Investors, Inc., an investment group funded by Allstate Insurance Company. Following a series of record setting years, Catani reported that the participation of Allstate would provide capitalization needed to accelerate the Company's program to expand into new product and market areas. Catani also confirmed that he would continue in his role as chief executive and that no personnel changes are contemplated.
KMI Honored
The Kentuckiana Masonry Institute, Inc., was presented with the Kentucky Society of Architects prestigious ALLIED PROFESSIONAL AWARD on November 6, 1987.
The ALLIED PROFESSIONAL AWARD given to "Pay tribute to an individual or firm who has constantly endeavored to work harmoniously with architects and allied professionals toward the expansion of a project through creative and innovative design solutions," was one of only four, out of ten possible, awards presented at the K.S.A. annual convention awards dinner in Lexington, Kentucky.
CTL's LA Office Moves
As of December 1, 1987, Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc.'s (CTL) Los Angeles, California branch office will operate from its new location at 1152 North Mountain Avenue, Suite B-213, Upland, CA 91785/(714) 985-1585. In announcing the move to Upland from the Arcadia area, David Sikes, Director of West Coast Operations, noted that "these facilities provide improved office space and allow for planned staff expansion to meet the growing demand for our engineering consulting services."
Masonry & Concrete Consultants, Inc.
SERVICES-Analysis of Existing Problems
-Design Assistance and Testing
-Masonry Restoration
-Contract Claims-Expert Witness
-Experience Includes-Precast and Masonry Panels, Load Bearing Masonry, Glass Block, Marble and Stone
Contact: TURNER SMITH/5211 Berry Creek/Houston, Texas 77017/(713) 944-1148
30 MASONRY-NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 1987