Nicholas Forell Explained

Nicholas F. Forell (1923 – February 19, 1998) was a structural engineer and a leading authority in the development of modern earthquake safety design. He was a founder and former president of the San Francisco firm Forell/Elsesser Engineers.^[1]

Early life

Nicholas was born in Züllichau, Germany in 1923. In 1941, he immigrated to the United States and began living in New York City.^[2]

Military service

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Nicholas joined the United States Army in 1942, and was assigned to the Signal Corps (United States Army)' Heavy Construction Battalion operating with British troops in Myanmar.^{[3] [4]}

Education

Following the war, Nicholas was offered admission to the engineering program at Brown University, and he graduated in 1949.^[4] Shortly after graduation, he moved to San Francisco to begin his career at Sverdrup & Parcel.^{[5] [4]}

Notable projects

• Pacific Gas & Electric Headquarters seismic retrofit
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art structural design
• Berkeley Civic Center seismic retrofit

Utah State Capitol historic seismic retrofits

• W. M. Keck Observatory structural design

Published works

• "Developments in earthquake design codes", 1981
• "Mexico earthquakes : Oaxaca - November 29, 1978, Guerrero", 1979

Personal life

Married to Carol Forell. Daughters Katey (finance) and Anne (architect)

Notes and References

1. Web site: OBITUARY -- Nicholas Forell . 26 February 1998 .
2. Web site: PCAD - Nicholas Forell .
3. Web site: PCAD - Nicholas Forell .
4. https://www.eeri.org/site/images/projects/oralhistory/forell.pdf
5. Web site: History | Forell/Elsesser Engineers, Inc . 2 February 2013 .