At the age of 46, Erik Verboon passed away on September 21. He was a well-known leader and pioneer in the field of facade and enclosure engineering. The fields of engineering and architecture are in dire straits.
As a senior principal at Walter P. Moore and a national director of enclosure engineering, Verboon's innovative work on some of the most complex and well-known facade projects in the world influenced the built environment.
Verboon presided over the enclosure engineering division at Walter P. Moore, where he managed landmark projects like multiple stadiums and massive commercial structures, in addition to heading the firm's New York City office, which he co-founded.
His technical skill, artistic vision, and visionary leadership made him one of the most well-known figures in his field. Born in 1979 in New Jersey, Verboon's interest in the built environment began at a young age.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in architecture from the University of Cincinnati in 2003, and in 2007 he earned a Master of Engineering degree from Stevens Institute of Technology.
He began his career at Michael McInturf Architects before joining Buro Happold, where he worked for eight years and rose to the rank of associate. His journey then took him to Walter P. Moore, where his creative thinking and collaborative attitude helped to create one of the most esteemed façade engineering practices in the country.
In addition to his professional achievements, Verboon was a dedicated educator who shared his knowledge and passion with future generations of designers and engineers.
He inspired countless students to approach the constructed environment with technical skill, curiosity, and ingenuity while teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, Pratt Institute, Columbia GSAPP, and Stevens Institute of Technology.
Verboon was another well-liked member of the architectural media community. His enthusiasm and insight left a lasting impression as a longtime friend of The Architect's Newspaper, who regularly spoke at Facades+ events and served on juries for Best of Design.
There are very few individuals in the world that truly exude a bright, unique light. "Erik Verboon was one of those extraordinary people," said Diana Darling, CEO and creative director of The Architect's Newspaper.
He was always generous, welcoming our ideas, supporting our endeavors, and giving so much of himself to others. He left a lasting impression with his excitement, friendliness, and presence.
Coworkers recall Verboon with fondness for his humility, sense of humor, and love for his family. "I shall miss our discussions about his family and the adventures they enjoyed," said Dionne Darling, AN's vice president of brand partnerships. He lit up when he discussed them. His thoughtfulness, curiosity, and kindness made every interaction meaningful.
Erik Verboon's entire universe consisted of his wife, Michelle Bauer Verboon, and their children, who are the only survivors. His passing has caused great sadness to his loved ones as well as to the global engineering and design communities who benefited from his humanity and brilliance.
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