John J. Cryan, PE – in Memoriam

Not all days in history are happy ones.  Today, Severud Associates is sad to announce the passing in July of John J. Cryan, PE, a former principal, long-time president and CEO, mentor to many, and dear friend.

Born in 1931, John grew up in New York City and attended Manhattan College, where in 1952 he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering.  After graduating, he served in the military during the Korean War and after his discharge worked in Wilmington, Delaware.  In 1957—67 years ago last winter—he returned home and began his career as an engineer at Severud.  In the early years, he also attended classes at New York University and received a Master of Science in civil engineering in 1960.

John was fortunate to be working with Fred N. Severud, the firm’s founder, and Hannskarl Bandel, a principal, who are among the best structural engineers of all time and were at their peak in the 1950s and ‘60s.  Their mentorship helped develop John’s innate structural talents and the firm’s preeminence ensured many opportunities to apply them to complex and challenging projects.  It also instilled in John a commitment to share his knowledge with the engineers who followed him.

One of John’s first assignments, in 1961, was Madison Square Garden, the iconic, 150-foot high, 404-foot diameter arena with an ingenious cable-supported roof, which sits atop New York City’s Penn Station.  Six years later, he worked on the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia, another significant venue with a cable-supported roof and distinctive concrete wall panels.  His thorough understanding of the analysis, design, and detailing of both structures proved critical in their original construction and the upgrades and renovations that were carried out with his guidance decades later.

John is perhaps best known for his expertise with high-rise office buildings.  Construction of the landmarked Seagram Building was underway in New York City when he joined the firm, which provided an excellent starting point, and he gained more valuable experience with the IDS Center in Minneapolis, MN, some years later.  By the 1980s, John’s innovative and economical approach, including his structural designs for Broad Financial Center, One Seaport Plaza, and Tower 45 in New York City, 1525 Locust Street, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and One Reading Center in Philadelphia, Merritt Tower in Baltimore, and 80 Park Plaza in Newark, New Jersey, had strengthened the firm’s reputation for engineering excellence.

In 1984—only a few years after becoming a principal—John was named President and CEO of the firm.  His aptitude for business proved to be as impressive as his engineering skills and his strong leadership carried the firm to increasing prosperity, despite recessions, the attacks and aftermath of 9/11, and other national crises.  John passed his business acumen on to his partners so that when he retired in 2006—after 50 years of service to Severud Associates and the structural engineering profession—the successful operation of the firm continued without interruption.

John considered the entire staff of Severud Associates, past and present, to be more like family than simply colleagues or co-workers.  He was tremendously supportive and protective, with a parent’s interest in their professional development.  His door was usually open—literally—and he would patiently answer questions, listen to issues, offer advice if not solutions, and generally head people in the right direction.

John had a hugely positive impact on the history of Severud Associates.  His loss will be keenly felt by all of us who knew and worked with him.