Construction Institute mourns the passing of our Friend and Founder
David N. LaBau, FAIA
Construction Institute, University of Hartford
Founding Father - 1975
Distinguished Achievement Award - 1987
Distinguished Achievement Award - 2000
Construction Institute Founding Fathers
Special Lifetime Recognition Award - 2007
Inaugural Recipient
David N. LaBau, 84, of Bloomfield, died Friday (April 16, 2010) at Hartford Hospital. He is survived by Gretchen, his wife of 57 years; son Peter of Charlottesville, VA; daughter Amy, her husband Evan "Charlie" Smith and granddaughters Allison and Sarah of Jamestown, RI; son Brian and his wife Christine Kirby of Arlington, MA; and sister Elizabeth Evans of Spring Lake Heights, NJ. David lived a long and accomplished life, and was profoundly loved and respected by not only his family, but by countless others whose lives he touched professionally and socially. The world is a better place for his having passed through it. Born in Ridgewood, NJ, David served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and graduated from Syracuse University School of Architecture in 1952. He was the founder and past chairman of the S/L/A/M Collaborative Architects in Glastonbury, CT, Atlanta, GA, and Boston, MA. He was a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and past president of its Connecticut Chapter. He chaired the AIA committee for the creation of the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Hartford and was a founding member of the University of Hartford Construction Institute. He was also a member of the Board of Visitors of the Mortensen Library at the University of Hartford. David was past chairman and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Open Hearth in Hartford; a member of the Board of Advisors for the Connecticut Junior Republic in Litchfield; and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Elizabeth Colt Bequest. As a member of Old St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Bloomfield, he served as both Junior and Senior Warden, was a member of the Vestry and the Building Committee, and Chairman of the Cemetery for 45 years. One of David's greatest pleasures was helping people of all ages and from all walks of life to achieve their professional goals, never seeking recognition or praise for his efforts. In recent years, David served as an advisor for SCORE, the counselling division of the Small Business Administration in West Hartford, helping those who wished to start their own business. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking in his shop where he made furniture for friends and family, and working outdoors on his property in Bloomfield. His greatest source of pride was his family, who loved him deeply. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday (May 1, 2010) at Old St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 59 Tariffville Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Old St. Andrew's Church or the David N. LaBau Architectural Scholarship Fund at the University of Hartford, care of Michael Crosbie, Dept. of Architecture, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117.
