Herman Tachau

1920 - 2015

Herman Tachau obituary, 1920-2015, Albuquerque, NM

Herman Tachau Obituary

HERMAN TACHAU 1920 - 2015 Herman Tachau of Santa Fe passed away on Sunday, December 6th. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Herman retired from the New Mexico State Highway Department in 1982, as Bridge Engineer for the State of New Mexico. He was principal designer of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos, New Mexico. The bridge was dedicated 50 years ago, on September 10th, 1965, and was awarded Most Beautiful Steel Bridge -Long Span category by the American Institute of Steel Construction in 1966. The award brought national recognition to the design team and Bridge Design Section at the New Mexico State Highway Department. In 1936, 15-year-old Herman and his family arrived in Chicago as refugees from Germany. While learning the English language, Herman excelled academically and graduated from Lane Technical High School in Chicago and followed with a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from the Armour Institute of Technology (now, Illinois Institute of Technology) in 1942. During World War II, Herman was a structural development engineer at Chance Vought Aircraft Corporation in Stamford, Connecticut. The company delivered fighter aircraft to the US and British navies. Following World War II, Herman earned his Masters in Structural Engineering from Harvard University. A few years later, Herman met the love of his life, Heidi, and they married in 1948. They settled in Iowa City, Iowa, where he spent five years on the faculty of the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Iowa. In 1953, Herman and his family moved to Santa Fe where he began his long career, and followed his passion for bridge design, with the State of New Mexico. In 1956, Herman received national recognition for his innovations in arc-welding concepts, which set a new standard in steel bridge design technology. For a number of years, Herman played the viola in the semi-professional Santa Fe Symphony and also in chamber music groups in the Santa Fe and Los Alamos areas. Swimming was a family institution - for decades Herman was a regular at the Salvador Perez public swimming pool. Herman was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Member of the American Concrete Institute and Member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. For an additional glimpse into Herman's remarkable life, see Inez Russell's article in the September 2005 issue of New Mexico Magazine. Herman is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Heidi Tachau; three children: Judy (Jim) Koury, Robert (Debbie) Tachau and Paul (Linda) Tachau; and four grandchildren: Jamey Honigstock, Anna Tachau (Jordan) Mimoun, Justin Tachau and Jonathan Tachau Koury. The family will have a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Herman Tachau Scholarship for Students of Structural Engineering at New Mexico State University, c/o The NMSU Foundation, PO Box 3590, Las Cruces, NM 88003.

Published by Santa Fe New Mexican from Dec. 9 to Dec. 13, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

I remember how smart Hetman was. The dayhe received an award for the Rio Grande Bridge up near Taos, the whole neighborhood was excited. My Dad, Walter Kahn, was
so impressed that he drove us up
to drive on the bridge. It was beautiful.

Kathy Kahn Mahon MD

Neighbor

December 3, 2020

Dear Heidi,
I'm so sorry to hear about Herman. I will always fondly remember him and his laugh
We;ve lost touch over the years but I have
very fond memories of our time with you
in Santa Fe.May God comfort all of you at
this time.We live now in Arlington/Tx and
we would love to hear from you.
Gundi has my number.

Helga Norton

December 23, 2015

Sorry to hear of your lose. My condolences to your family. Remembering Mr. Tachau growing up in the Kaune School area, great man,great neighbor. My prayers to all

Yolanda Casados

December 15, 2015

I was so saddened to hear of Herman's passing. I have been here in Santa Fe again since 09, and tried to find information about your family. I am glad to hear Heidi is still alive, perhaps living here in Santa Fe also?
I too remember the entire family. Herman and his interest and talent with Chamber Music group. Judy, Robert and Paul were all in sunday school with my brothers, Morris, Dan and I. I hope that Robert, Paul and you Judy will get in touch with Kathy, Georgia (Debbie) and I. To me know, all of the folks we grew up with are special treasures and touchstones to our past. 5059820928
I will keep your family in our prayers.

Barbara LaMont

December 14, 2015

Dear Heidi, Judy, Robert, and Paul, and family,
I wanted to write you and let you know I am
sorry to hear Herman is gone. He was a good man, and a friend to my family. I am
not sure he really liked Penny the dachshund sneaking in and eating your cat's
food all those years ago, but he liked
Penny. It all seems like yesterday, but
I know it was long ago and far away.

Kathy Kahn Mahon MD

December 13, 2015

Hello Judy -- this is from Georgia Jones-Davis, formerly Debbie Jones! I remember your dad! I am so sorry, and so impressed by his remarkable life story. I always think of you as my very first friend! Are you ever in Santa Fe? We are in process of relocating there. Would love to see you. I am in touch with Barbara (Bell) and her husband Armin.

Georgia Jones-Davis

December 13, 2015

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