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BORN
1924
DIED
2023
Daniel Shapiro Obituary
November 16, 1924 - October 22, 2023
Daniel Shapiro was born November 16, 1924 in Los Angeles. The son of Abram and Esther Shapiro, he attended Manual Arts High School, served in the Army during World War II and then attended UC Berkeley, where he studied civil engineering. While at Berkeley Dan met Lois Rothenberg. They married in 1948 and moved to San Francisco, where they remained happily married for 60 years.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, Dan had a love of the beach. He and Lois purchased a condo on West Maui in the mid-sixties and returned there regularly for the rest of their lives. He enjoyed tennis, playing in a Saturday doubles game, often followed by animated political discussions. He enjoyed classical music, travel, crossword puzzles and a good cookie. He and Lois also had a tradition of celebrating New Years eve in Carmel with close friends.
Dan worked for Bechtel and then John Sardis and Associates, Architects and Engineers, prior to founding the structural engineering company now known as SOHA Engineers in 1965. His work focused on advancing building seismic performance with the goal of improving public safety. He led the effort to ensure that schools in San Francisco were earthquake resistant and was instrumental in the effort to pass the San Francisco Unreinforced Masonry Building Ordinance, the first ordinance to mandate structural retrofits of a particularly vulnerable type of building. He served as President of The Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC) and The Applied Technology Council and as Chair of the California Seismic Safety Commission. Towards the end of his career, Dan worked on commentary and guidelines for building seismic rehabilitation as a project director for FEMA. His professional awards included the SEAONC H.J. Brunnier Lifetime Achievement Award and the California Earthquake Safety Foundation Alfred E. Alquist Medal.
Dan had a generosity of spirit, sense of humor and strong moral compass that touched those around him. He died on October 22, 2023 at the age of 98. At his request there will be no funeral. There will be a gathering of family and friends in the near future to remember and celebrate his life. For information contact [email protected]. Memorial contributions to organizations seeking social justice are preferred.
He is survived by his two sons, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Shapiro
Ron Hamburger
December 4, 2023
I knew Dan through the Structural Engineers Association, where it is fair to say, he was a highly respected advisor and mentor. Though I worked for a competitor firm, Dan made it possible for me to become professionally active in the Association and beyond. I valued our friendship for many years and have missed him since he withdrew from social contact. RIP.
James Malley
December 4, 2023
Dan Shapiro will be missed by everyone he touched within the Structural Engineering community. He was a dedicated and highly effective leader on many important activities for San Francisco, the State of California and on the national level for the Applied Technology. Dan was also the consummate gentleman and gave freely of his knowledge and experience to younger engineers, even those that did not work for his firm.
Hal Davis
December 4, 2023
Dan was also involved in the ESCMT program designed to help minority students have access to technical training and employment in the structural engineering field. His counsel was always well received.
Craig D Comartin
December 3, 2023
Dan was a mentor and dear friend
Rafael Sabelli
December 3, 2023
Daniel Shapiro leaves a valuable legacy to both the practice of structural engineering and to the safety of the public. Those who knew him are the better for the time spent with him.
Jon Langsam
December 3, 2023
The first thing that comes to my mind is Dan wearing shorts and he and my dad playing tennis.
Our condolences Georgia and Jon Langsam
Kathy Gray
November 30, 2023
Thank you for living. You made it. You are a hero. Rest.
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