Active 3 years, 8 months ago
1940-2022
Harold Adams
Harold Adams, FAIA, a visionary executive in architectural design and a champion of interdisciplinary collaboration in the construction industry, passed away on April 12, 2002, at the age of 82, in Bryan, Texas. He was surrounded by his loving family, including his wife, Janice Lindhurst Adams, a daughter, Abigail Adams Brigstocke, three sons, Harold L. Adams II, Ashley John Adams, and Samuel John Adams and 11 grandchildren. A memorial service attended by family, friends, and colleagues celebrated his life at the All Faith’s Chapel on the campus of Texas A&M University. Harold will be buried at the family farm in Needmore, Pennsylvania.
Harold graduated as valedictorian from Palmer High School in Palmer, Texas. He then attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas where he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1962. After graduation he moved to Washington D.C., joining the architectural firm of John Carl Warneke and Associates, where he was immediately assigned a variety of projects working with President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as well as other Kennedy family members. His first assignment was the redevelopment of Lafayette Square near the White House. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Janice Lindhurst. They met in May of that year and were married in August. The Lafayette Square work caught the attention of President Kennedy and the First Lady, leading to multiple projects for the Kennedy family. These projects included an addition to Robert and Ethel Kennedy’s home in McLean, Virginia, renovations of several homes at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, and early planning for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Following the assassination of President Kennedy, Harold was asked to lead the design for the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, known for its “Eternal Flame.”
In 1967, still in his twenties and with numerous high profile projects to his credit, Harold was recruited by the partners of Rogers, Taliaferro, Kostrisky and Lamb in Baltimore to restructure the organization and manage its cash flow. In short order in 1969 Harold was appointed president at age 29, CEO in 1971, and chairman in 1987. During this period, the company name became RTKL Associates. Inc. and later RTKL. With a vision for growth and an emphasis on operating as a business, the company grew from 45 personnel to a staff of 1,200, with 14 offices around the world at the time he retired in 2003. He then served as chairman emeritus of the firm.
During Harold’s leadership at RTKL, representative projects included rebuilding the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; the United States Capital Visitor Center; the renovation of Bancroft Hall at the U. S. Naval Academy; the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum; and master planning for Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. While at RTKL, he worked with three different Architects of the Capitol over a 22-year period, primarily focusing on the design of the Capitol Visitor Center.
Harold was actively involved in various organizations related to the design and construction industry. He was elected to the National Academy of Construction in 2011. He was also president of the Design-Build Institute of America, chairman of the board of the American Architectural Foundation, Chancellor of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows and served on the AIA Board of Directors. He was founder of the AIA Large Firm Round Table, bringing the largest architectural firms in the nation together to work in a collegial and collaborative manor to foster improved services from the profession.
Harold was honored numerous times. He was a recipient of the Ted C. Kennedy Award and Medal from the National Academy of Construction. He also received two of the highest honors from the AIA: the Edward C. Kemper Award and Medal for his leadership in the profession, and membership in the AIA College of Fellows. He received the first Max O. Urbahn Medal for achievement in architecture from the Society of American Military Engineers, was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M University, and an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s College of Architecture. In addition, he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Texas A&M University. During retirement, Harold was made a Fellow of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at A&M, and joined the College of Architecture faculty as a Professor of Professional Practice.
Harold Adams, a global icon among the history of architects and architecture, was a consummate gentleman, exhibited a passion for architecture, had a vision for the growth of a global practice, and was truly committed to raising up younger emerging professionals. A man of high character and great intellect, he was totally dedicated to the love of his family. The legacy he established will live on in the hearts and minds of all of us.
― Ronald L. Skaggs, 2022
Harold graduated as valedictorian from Palmer High School in Palmer, Texas. He then attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas where he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1962. After graduation he moved to Washington D.C., joining the architectural firm of John Carl Warneke and Associates, where he was immediately assigned a variety of projects working with President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy as well as other Kennedy family members. His first assignment was the redevelopment of Lafayette Square near the White House. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Janice Lindhurst. They met in May of that year and were married in August. The Lafayette Square work caught the attention of President Kennedy and the First Lady, leading to multiple projects for the Kennedy family. These projects included an addition to Robert and Ethel Kennedy’s home in McLean, Virginia, renovations of several homes at the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, and early planning for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Following the assassination of President Kennedy, Harold was asked to lead the design for the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, known for its “Eternal Flame.”
In 1967, still in his twenties and with numerous high profile projects to his credit, Harold was recruited by the partners of Rogers, Taliaferro, Kostrisky and Lamb in Baltimore to restructure the organization and manage its cash flow. In short order in 1969 Harold was appointed president at age 29, CEO in 1971, and chairman in 1987. During this period, the company name became RTKL Associates. Inc. and later RTKL. With a vision for growth and an emphasis on operating as a business, the company grew from 45 personnel to a staff of 1,200, with 14 offices around the world at the time he retired in 2003. He then served as chairman emeritus of the firm.
During Harold’s leadership at RTKL, representative projects included rebuilding the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001; the United States Capital Visitor Center; the renovation of Bancroft Hall at the U. S. Naval Academy; the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum; and master planning for Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. While at RTKL, he worked with three different Architects of the Capitol over a 22-year period, primarily focusing on the design of the Capitol Visitor Center.
Harold was actively involved in various organizations related to the design and construction industry. He was elected to the National Academy of Construction in 2011. He was also president of the Design-Build Institute of America, chairman of the board of the American Architectural Foundation, Chancellor of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows and served on the AIA Board of Directors. He was founder of the AIA Large Firm Round Table, bringing the largest architectural firms in the nation together to work in a collegial and collaborative manor to foster improved services from the profession.
Harold was honored numerous times. He was a recipient of the Ted C. Kennedy Award and Medal from the National Academy of Construction. He also received two of the highest honors from the AIA: the Edward C. Kemper Award and Medal for his leadership in the profession, and membership in the AIA College of Fellows. He received the first Max O. Urbahn Medal for achievement in architecture from the Society of American Military Engineers, was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M University, and an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s College of Architecture. In addition, he received an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from Texas A&M University. During retirement, Harold was made a Fellow of the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at A&M, and joined the College of Architecture faculty as a Professor of Professional Practice.
Harold Adams, a global icon among the history of architects and architecture, was a consummate gentleman, exhibited a passion for architecture, had a vision for the growth of a global practice, and was truly committed to raising up younger emerging professionals. A man of high character and great intellect, he was totally dedicated to the love of his family. The legacy he established will live on in the hearts and minds of all of us.
― Ronald L. Skaggs, 2022
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