Ron Dokell and Ralph Loewendick pass away

Two major figures of the US demolition industry and key founder members of the NDA have recently died.

Ron Dokell, based in Houston and former president of Demolition Consultants, was a founder and Charter Member of the Association, and was one of the first contractors to recognise the need for an organisation to represent the industry in North America. He was a member of the first Executive Committee and served as the NDA's third president.

Ron was instrumental in developing the programmes that allowed the Association to attract new members and develop the infrastructure to become an important part of the construction association movement on the continent. He also served on the first Safety Committee and was heavily involved in the development of the Demolition Safety Program and Demolition Safety Manual. He passed away on 2 September.

Ralph David Loewendick of S. G Loewendick & Sons based in Columbus, Ohio, died on Monday 3 September. Ralph also was a Charter Member and was directly involved with the development of the Association from its very beginnings. His son David served as the Association's eighteenth president.