Structural Engineers HALL of FAME
Postings here, document and acknowledge the achievements of individuals honored by the Structural Engineers Association of Washington (SEAW) since the 1950 establishment of the organization.
Tom Kane - Honorary Member 1993
March 20, 1927 - September 15, 2012
Born in Seattle, Thomas A. Kane graduated from Seattle Prep High School. He earned the BSCE at St. Martin's University in 1950. He enlisted in the US Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII.
In 1956, along with Art Andersen and Trygve Bjornstad, Tom Kane formed the Seattle-based firm later known as Andersen Bjornstad Kane Jacobs/ABKJ, a firm with many civil and structural design achievements. Tom served as President and CEO of the firm, which employed a staff of 70 with offices in Seattle and Anchorage at the time of his retirement in 1995.
For the Seattle 1962 World's Fair, the firm served as a special advisor to contractor Howard S. Wright during the construction of the Coliseum (at left), assisting with tensioning, ring beams, and cables.
Tom worked as project manager for the lower-level West Seattle Swing Bridge (shown below, completed 1991), which received design excellence awards from the National Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Consulting Engineers Council, and international recognition for its unique and innovative design as the world's only hydraulically operated double-leaf concrete swing bridge. The Smithsonian displayed a model of the bridge.
Throughout his career, he directed and supervised the design of many structures, bridges, and heavy construction works including projects on the north slope of Alaska for the oil industry.
He served on the board of St. Martin's University. The Consulting Engineers Council of Washington recognized Tom Kane as Engineer of the Year in 1984.
Posted April 2012; updated September 2012