RALPH YOUNGREN

YOUNGREN--Ralph Park. The architect Ralph Park Youngren, FAIA, died October 17, 2023, at home and surrounded by family. During his long and prolific career, he designed many projects with colleagues, such as longtime friend Walter Netsch, including the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, the Regenstein Library at the University of Chicago, the Beckman Institute at the University of Illinois, and the Chrysler World Headquarters in Michigan. Ralph was born December 26th, 1924, in Cloquet, MN. He served in the 13th Airborne Division, 326th Glider Infantry in WWII and then attended Harvard University where he studied under Walter Gropius, earning an A.B. in 1947 and an M. Arch. in 1950. After graduating, Ralph worked at Skidmore Owings and Merrill and spent a year in Japan working to rebuild Okinawa. After that year, Ralph took a leave of absence and traveled the world for six months looking at the buildings he studied at Harvard. Throughout Ralph's career, he led many arts and architectural foundations and trusts, including the Chicago Architectural Foundation, The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, The American Institute of Architects, and the Concerned Citizens for the Arts in Michigan. Ralph was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architecture in 1971 and served as Chairman of the AIA's National Design Committee. Both his zest for life and love of laughter will be missed by his wife Ann, sons Todd and Malcolm, and four grandchildren Madeline, Grace, Emma, and Austin.