George E. Brandow; Structural Engineer on Many L.A. Buildings
George E. Brandow, structural engineer who helped shape the Los Angeles skyline with buildings such as the Los Angeles Sports Arena, the Los Angeles Convention Center and the renovated Los Angeles Central Library, has died. He was 87.
Brandow, former president of Brandow and Johnston Associates who retired only a few years ago, died Sunday in Altadena.
In partnership with Roy G. Johnston since 1945, Brandow built the skeletons of about 20,000 projects throughout Southern California. Other examples are TransAmerica Tower (built as Occidental Tower), the campuses of UC Irvine and Pepperdine University, the Getty Museum in Malibu and Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport.
Brandow and Johnston provided structural engineering services for the first height-limit buildings in Los Angeles after World War II, the first building to exceed that limit when the city ordinance was changed in 1958 (then known as California Bank) and the first all-welded structural steel office building in Los Angeles (then known as the Superior Oil Building).
During a 1966 conference to discuss the earthquake safety of the new high-rises, Brandow assured the public that modern computers had made it possible to build earthquake-resistant buildings by helping to establish the strength requirements for all heights. He said that 30-story and 40-story buildings then under construction would sway more in a strong wind than in a big earthquake and that the buildings were designed to “give” about a foot at the top.
Brandow was a director of the Structural Engineers Assn. of California, national director of the American Society of Civil Engineers and president of its Los Angeles chapter, and president of the American Institute of Consulting Engineers.
In 1975, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Brandow its Ernst E. Howard Award for excellence in structural engineering. In 1981, Brandow and Johnston were jointly recognized for their outstanding work by the Construction Industries Committee of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.
Born in Crookston, Minn., Brandow came to Los Angeles with his family in 1928. He was an Eagle Scout who earned the Silver Beaver Award.
A graduate of USC, Brandow was a lifelong supporter of the university, serving as president of its General Alumni in 1970-71 and as a trustee from 1969 to 1986.
Brandow was active in Los Angeles’ cultural and arts community, serving as president of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Music Center Operating Company from 1972 to 1980.
Closer to his San Marino home, he was a San Marino city councilman from 1976 to 1982 and member of the Huntington Library Board of Overseers from 1980 to 1990.
Brandow is survived by his wife, Anita; two sons, Peter and Gregg; and four grandchildren.
The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at USC.
Funeral services are scheduled Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Church of Our Saviour, 535 W. Roses Road, San Gabriel, Calif.
