Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
A 42-year NRMCA and National Aggregates Association veteran, widely recognized for contributions to development of cement, concrete strength and durability testing, plus returned mix and truck wash water reuse standards, Richard Gaynor died July 16 in Maryland.
“To say Dick achieved legendary status within our industry would be an understatement,” affirms NRMCA President Robert Garbini. “His knowledge, dedication, contributions and kindness will be his legacy. I was honored to consider him a mentor, colleague and friend.”
“Dick was one of those people who could get things done and understood how things worked—whether it was mechanical, chemical or electrical,” adds Federal Highway Administration consultant and longtime NRMCA/NAA colleague Richard Meininger.
A Mobile, Ala., native, Gaynor earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and master’s in engineering from the University of Maryland. He arrived at the NRMCA and (NAA forerunner) National Sand & Gravel Association in 1954, poised to manage their Joint Research Laboratory in College Park, Md., for more than two decades. He became NRMCA director of Engineering in 1971; vice president of Research and Engineering in 1975; and, executive vice president in 1984.
Throughout much of his association tenure, Gaynor provided technical support to the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau and Concrete Plant Manufacturers Bureau, both NRMCA affiliates. Through the NRMCA Technical Short Course, technical information letters, publications and industry presentations, he educated many industry leaders, along with engineering, quality control and production personnel.
Upon retirement in 1996, Gaynor was appointed an honorary member of the NRMCA Board of Directors. The following year, the Research Engineering and Standards Committee established the Richard D. Gaynor Award to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the ready mixed concrete industry on the technical front. A solid track record of committee support and accomplishments earned Gaynor the title of Fellow at the American Concrete Institute and ASTM International, where he was a primary driver in evolving C94, Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete, and Committee C1 on Cement and C9 on Concrete and Aggregates honorary member.