With great sorrow, we share the news of Dr. Charles Birnstiel’s passing on March 11th at 94. Dr. Birnstiel was not only a colleague but also a mentor, a visionary, and a pioneer in the field of bridge engineering.

After a distinguished career that included tenures as a structural engineering professor at Columbia, Cooper Union, Manhattan College, NYU, Pratt, and Polytechnic University, Dr. Birnstiel and his firm merged with H&H in 1997.

“During his time with the firm, he contributed to our success and enhanced how we approached bridge design,”  said Paul Skelton, H&H Principal. “His mentorship touched the lives of many within H&H, and his guidance opened new doors of opportunity.”

Dr. Birnstiel retired in 2014 but continued to publish engineering books focused on movable bridges and bridge history in the US and Germany.

He will be dearly missed, although we have many fond memories of him to celebrate.

For those who wish to learn more about Dr. Birnstiel’s remarkable life and contributions, please see his obituary:  Dr. Charles Birnstiel.