Members will be saddened to learn of the passing of Bill Robinson early
on Wednesday August 17th. He was both a Founding Member of ASSISi and a
member of the Executive Committee.
Bill Robinson has made an outstanding contribution to the seismic safety
of structures, particularly in his development of the lead-rubber
bearing, a device now protecting thousands of buildings and structures
in many earthquake-prone countries. That work made Bill a key person in
the application of base isolation technology. His unbridled enthusiasm
and inventiveness resulted, over the years, in his continuing
experimentation with new types of anti-seismic device.
Despite the difficulties of travel, Bill was a regular and active
participant at ASSISi’s biennial World Conference. Many of us had come
to regard him not just as a fellow engineer but as a friend. To honour
Bill Robinson and his contributions to base isolation and ASSISi, the
Society will dedicate its forthcoming World Conference, which takes
place next month in Sochi, Russia , to his memory
.
On behalf of ASSISi, I have sent a message of sympathy to his family and
colleagues in the New Zealand earthquake engineering community.
.
Regards,
Keith Fuller
ASSISi President