08.22.2014
Holabird & Root Announces The Passing of Gerald Horn
Holabird & Root is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former Principal Gerald Horn, who died on Saturday, August 9, at the age of 79. Gerald, fondly known as Jerry, was a partner at Holabird & Root from 1988 to 2004. He began his career with the firm back in 1971 as a project designer and moved up through the ranks proving himself to be a competent and worthy leader, while also serving for several years as a studio professor at Illinois Institute of Technology. He was a mentor to many, including recently retired Principal Jeff Case, who attributed the longevity of his career at Holabird & Root to Jerry, saying, “Jerry was my [teacher], he was my ticket, he believed in me.” Jerry was a prolific designer and mentor to countless young architects, both at IIT and Holabird & Root.
Holabird & Root remembers and honors the memory of one of our most cherished leaders. Jerry was the recipient of several awards throughout his impressive career, including a collection of AIA design awards through the years for landmark projects such as the Great Lakes Naval Training Center Engineman School, Monsanto Environmental Health Laboratory, Illinois Bell Telephone 4A Toll Building (national design award), Hollister Corporate headquarters in Libertyville, and the Hollister Factory Building in Stuarts Draft, Virginia. Jerry moved the firm forward through a collection of other notable projects including the Northwestern University Law School, American Bar Center, the Chicago Historical Society expansion, the Federal Reserve Bank Addition and Renovation, the University of Illinois Digital Computer Building, the City Home Affordable Housing Project, IIT Kent Law School, Nicor Headquarters Building, IBM Credit Union and the impressive Holabird & Root Headquarters with the bridge through the light court, to name just a few. Jerry passed away in his self-designed California home, which also won an AIA distinguished building award.
Current Holabird & Root Managing Principal Greg Cook remembers Jerry fondly, sharing, “Jerry passing affects all of us a lot. As an architect, he was a true artist, all about the pure structure. He was very complex in his designs, he did them all in his head and they always came out beautiful, completely thought out, he was totally independent. Jerry’s abilities were uncanny in his use of space, use of the land, the presence of the building within the site, the structural fluidity and expression of his designs was astounding.”
Jerry is survived by his wife, Caryl, his son, James, his daughters, Jill, Debra and Laura, and eight grandchildren. He is remembered by all the colleagues who loved and respected him at Holabird & Root, in addition to several industry professionals worldwide.
See Also: Chicago architect Gerald Horn dies at 79