Robert G. Tracy, an expert in concrete applications, notably restorations, and the founder of two consulting firms in Michigan, has died at 72.
Tracy, P.E., M.ASCE, applied much of his experience toward concrete deterioration analysis and restoration program development throughout the United States. In the past few years he worked to preserve and restore historic structures in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, his home state.
After earning two civil engineering degrees from Michigan Technological University, he spent his early career at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Western Waterproofing (in Detroit), and at Walker Parking Consultants in Kalamazoo, where he served as chief of restoration engineering and then restoration services group manager.
Later he would form his own engineering consulting firm, Tracy Restoration Engineers, and another, Source Engineering.
Tracy was known as a pioneer in parking ramp and concrete restoration. He received numerous awards for his work, enjoyed speaking engagements, conducted educational seminars, and published several articles in the American Concrete Institute’s journal “Concrete International,” among them rehabilitation strategies and a two-part article on deteriorated posttensioned one-way slabs.
In his youth he spent a great deal of time enjoying river activities such as fishing and water sports. He also liked to pass on his knowledge of carpentry and generally “MacGyvered” anything that needed fixing – or didn’t. He also loved to travel.
Tracy’s talent for restoration went beyond built structures; he single-handedly repopulated dozens of red and white pine trees that stand on his property today.
