Obituary of Howard Carl Dutzi

Howard Carl Dutzi died on Friday, June 17, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.He was born to Ludwig Otto and Hilda (Heim) Dutzi on February 26, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois.He is survived by his wife, Ruth (Lease) Dutzi; and his sister, Jean Dutzi (Patrick) McMahon of St. Charles, Illinois; nieces, Colleen McMahon (Nikolai) Miczek, Elizabeth Dutzi (Jason) Starzec; and nephews, Robert K. (Laura) Dutzi, Michael P McMahon, Timothy (Jennifer) McMahon, James Paul Lease, Joseph T. Lease, and John D. (Mary) Lease. There also are numerous grand nephews and nieces.Howard was preceded in death by his brother, Robert G. Dutzi; and sister-in law Christine of Buffalo Grove, Illinois; and his brothers-in-law, D. James Lease and Paul R. Lease.He was raised in Chicago, Illinois. After high school he enrolled in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois' two year extension campus at Navy Pier, Chicago and transferred to the Urbana-Champaign campus where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Architectural Engineering. After working in architecture and engineering he returned to the University of Illinois and earned his Masters of Science degree. At this time the Chicago architectural/engineering firm of Skidmore, Ownings, and Merrill received the commission to design the United States Air Force Academy and needed to increase their staff. Howard was employed and began working at the SOM office in Chicago, Illinois. Howard was assigned to several design projects at SOM and then worked on the design of Fairchild Hall, Arnold Hall, and the Cadet Chapel among other buildings of the Air Force Academy. In 1957, he was transferred to the Colorado Springs office of SOM working during the construction phase of the USAFA. After fifteen months, he was transferred back to Chicago. After a few months he realized Colorado was where he wanted to be and joined the firm of Lusk and Wallace, Architects in Colorado Springs.He was licensed as a Professional Engineer in eleven states and a Registered Architect in Illinois and Colorado. In 1961, he founded the structural engineering firm of Howard C. Dutzi and Associates (now known as HCDA Engineering). The firm performed the structural design of buildings in Colorado as well as buildings across the U. S. Some were the Pikes Peak Center Auditorium, El Paso County Jail, Doherty High School, Rampart High School, The University of Colorado Sports Center in Boulder, the Kodak Plaza Building, and the United Airlines World Wide Computer Center at the Denver Tech Center.Howard was a life member and past president of the Colorado Chapter of American Consulting Engineers Council and served as a national director of ACEC. He was elected to fellow status of ACEC and also received the ACEC Orley O. Phillips Award for outstanding achievement and contributions to the profession of engineering. Howard was a founding member and past president of the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Construction Specification Institute, a member of American Society of Civil Engineers, American Concrete Institute, and the Commission for Certification of Consulting Engineers of Colorado. He was a founding board member and treasurer of the Structural Engineer Risk Management Council.Howard served as a member of the Building Committee and the Board of Review of the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. For several years he served as an instructor at the annual education seminar of the International Conference of Building Officials. He was chairman of the Architecture and Construction Advisory Committee of Pikes Peak Community College. He taught Structural Engineering Refresher Course to those preparing for the Colorado State Board of Examinations of Architects.Howard was a member of First Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs since 1964.He was also involved in civic organizations including Colorado Springs Executive Association, Board of Directors for the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Springs Symphony Council, Board of Directors of the Colorado Springs Opera Association, YMCA Camping Service Board, and the YMCA Camping Site of Facilities Committee.Upon retirement Howard pursued his interest in drawing. He taught art courses and entered art competitions and won significant awards. He was a member and past president of the Colorado Springs Art Guild, founding member and past president of the Pikes Peak Pastel Society, and a member of the Pikes Peak Watercolor Society. Howard and his wife enjoyed camping and backpacking in the national parks and monuments of the Four Corners area. They traveled and camped extensively throughout the world having traversed the Karakorum Highway from Pakistan to China, traveled the Burma Road from Myanmar to China, as well as hiked the Inca Trail to Macha Picchu. In addition to visiting many european countries they traveled through the former USSR, Mongolia, India, Sri Lanka, southeast Asia, Australia, several countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The travels are reflected in his many paintings. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Ecumenical Social Ministries, 201 North Weber Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.