Passing of AIA's 60th President, George Notter, FAIA

From Chris McEntee, National AIA EVP:

Word has come to the Institute of the passing of the AIA’s 60th President, George M. Notter Jr., FAIA. George died peacefully on the day after Christmas.

George joined the AIA shortly after becoming registered in the mid 60s and quickly became passionately involved in the life of his professional community, first as a member of the Boston Society of Architects’ Professional Services Committee between 1968 and 1972, and eventually as National President in 1984. An eloquent advocate for public outreach, he encouraged greater interaction between architects and the public. In an article that appeared in Engineering News Record shortly after assuming the AIA Presidency, he was quoted as saying: “When the public begins to share in the design experience and understands what architects do, then they’ll want more of it, I’m sure.”

A founding principal of the firm Anderson Notter Finegold, which later became Notter Finegold & Alexander, he was a leader in planning related to urban areas, the design of new structures in urban areas, and the adaptive use and preservation of historic buildings and districts. Nationally known as a pioneering preservationist and creative enthusiast of adaptive use, George Notter would today be recognized as an early advocate of sustainability and urban regeneration.

Made a Fellow of the Institute in 1978, he was also an Honorary Fellow in the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and a Member of Honor of La Federacion de Collegios de Arquitectos de la Republica Mexicana. He is survived by his wife, Bett, and two sons, David and Jamie.

In response to inquiries about contributions, the family has asked that memorial gifts honoring the memory of George Notter may be made either to the American Architectural Foundation or to the AIA College of Fellows.

Additional details about President Notter and the memorial service this Sunday, December 30, can be found in a blog written by his son, Jamie:
http://www.getmejamienotter.com/getmejamienotter/2007/12/george-m-notter.html.

I join with all of you, his colleagues and friends, in mourning the loss of an inspired
architect, teacher, writer, and leader of the profession.

Chris McEntee
Executive Vice President/CEO
The American Institute of Architects