In Memoriam: ICC-ES Mourns the Loss of Nick Horeczko Bohdan Nicholas (Nick) Horeczko, longtime Director of Professional Services for the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), passed away April 8. He was 74. With 52 years of civil engineering experience in design, construction, manufacturing, research, building code services and building products evaluation — including 42 of those years with ICC-ES and the legacy organization International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) — Horeczko was well-known and highly respected within the industry for his knowledge and warm and inviting demeanor. During his tenure with ICC-ES, he was actively involved with more than 90 acceptance criteria as the main engineer, co-author or peer reviewer. Horeczko most recently worked on AC125 — Concrete and Reinforced and Unreinforced Masonry Strengthening Using Fiber-reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite Systems, AC156 — Seismic Certification by Shake-Table Testing of Nonstructural Components, AC429 — High Strength Steel Reinforcing Bars and AC454 — Glass Fiber-reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars for Internal Reinforcement of Concrete Members. "Nick was a pillar of strength within ICC-ES," said ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian. "His limitless knowledge was recognized and valued, not just by ICC-ES, but the industry." A lifelong learner, as recently as this past year he attended training sponsored by SEAOC, ATC, ACI, NCSEA and NEES/EERI and was certified as an assessor under ANSI/ISO/IEC Standard 17025. For the past 15 years, he actively participated on the ACI 440 Committee (Fiber-reinforced Polymer Reinforcement) and its various subcommittees, was a member of the ASCE Structural Composites and Polymers Committee in the drafting of a new ASCE National Standard. "Nick Horeczko defined the word 'mentor'. Not only was Nick a mentor to me, and I probably abused the privilege, but he mentored dozens of engineers, administrative staff, clients and whomever crossed his path over the years," said International Accreditation Service (IAS) Vice President/Chief Technical Officer Pat McCullen. "A deeply religious man, Nick was willing and able to listen and advise on any subject that came his way. One of my favorites of Nick's sayings after he endured one of my long consultations about testing, engineering, my son's college education, my workload, etc. etc., was 'well Pat, you're doing the right thing.' That bit of encouragement from Nick meant so much to me over the years that I will be forever indebted to him for the wisdom he openly shared with me, my colleagues and my friends." Prior to joining ICBO, he served as a product, quality, and research engineer for Ameron Corporation and as a bridge engineer for the California State Bridge Department. He received a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Loyola University. His professional registrations included Registered Civil Engineer (California and Alaska), Registered Professional Engineer in Fire Protection Engineering, and Registered Professional Engineer in Quality Engineering (California). "Nick was the first engineer that I hired when ICBO moved to its present location in 1972," said ICC-ES President Emeritus John Nosse. "I had the privilege of knowing the gentleman for 42 years. He was extremely knowledgeable and conducted himself in a professional manner in technical discussions with prospective report holders." Horeczko earned the designation of Fellow with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering (IAE). He also was a member of the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), Society for the Advancement of Materials and Process Engineering (SAMPE), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and Construction Specification Institute (CSI). "Bohdan 'Nick' Horeczko and I joined ICBO within a year of each other and, from the very first day became good friends," said International Accreditation Service President Chuck Ramani, PE, CBO. "This friendship extended to the entire family and we often visited each other during the early years of our professional life. Nick left an indelible image on every member of my extended family that came in contact with him. To this day when my children or other family members ask about how things are at my work, the conversation would always include a query about how 'uncle' Nick was doing! Nick had a therapeutic effect on people that came in contact with him in times of stress or hardship. On the professional side, Nick was a great consensus builder. While his methods may be seen as a bit behind the digital age where questions are expected to be answered in nano-seconds, Nick's methodical approach often endeared him to industry groups looking for a more equitable solution for difficult engineering problems. The American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Concrete Institute, the Structural Engineers Association and many others bestowed their highest honors on Nick for his tireless and fair approach to problems facing their respective professions. Nick's legacy to me is the knowledge that one has to be always optimistic in life and, given a choice between being right or kind, always choose the latter path. Rest in Peace, dear Bohdan." Horeczko served for more than six years on active and reserve duty with the U.S. Army. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant for the Corps of Engineers, he served in the Military Intelligence branch and was discharged in 1969 as a First Lieutenant. "Nick always held himself to the highest standards," said International Code Council Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, CBO. "He was a true gentleman and highly regarded by his peers. This is an emotional loss to ICC, ICC-ES and IAS. We will miss him on both a personal and professional level." Bohdan Nicholas Horeczko is survived by his wife Carolyn Anne Horeczko, daughters Stephanie Bohdanna Horeczko, Christina Anne Giles (Kurt Lundy Giles), sons Gregory Bohdan Nicholas Horeczko, Matthew Mykola Dennis Horeczko (Debra Marie Horeczko), Timothy Andrew Martin Horeczko, Daniel Damian Stephen Horeczko, Luke Joseph Volodymyr Horeczko and seven grandchildren.