# Nicholas Forell

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**Nicholas F. Forell** (1923 – February 19, 1998) was a [structural engineer](/source/Structural_engineer) and a leading authority in the development of modern earthquake safety design. He was a founder and former president of the San Francisco firm Forell/Elsesser Engineers.[1]

## Early life

Nicholas was born in [Züllichau](/source/Z%C3%BCllichau), Germany, in 1923. In 1941, he immigrated to the United States and began living in [New York City](/source/New_York_City).[2]

### Military service

After the [attack on Pearl Harbor](/source/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor), Nicholas joined the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) in 1942, and was assigned to the [Signal Corps (United States Army)](/source/Signal_Corps)' Heavy Construction Battalion operating with British troops in [Myanmar](/source/Burma).[3][4]

## Education

Following the war, Nicholas was offered admission to the engineering program at [Brown University](/source/Brown_University), and he graduated in 1949.[4] Shortly after graduation, he moved to San Francisco to begin his career at [Sverdrup & Parcel](/source/Sverdrup_%26_Parcel).[5][4]

## Notable projects

- Pacific Gas & Electric Headquarters seismic retrofit
- [San Francisco Museum of Modern Art](/source/San_Francisco_Museum_of_Modern_Art) structural design
- Berkeley Civic Center seismic retrofit

## [Utah State Capitol](/source/Utah_State_Capitol) historic seismic retrofits

- [W. M. Keck Observatory](/source/W._M._Keck_Observatory) structural design

## Published works

- "Developments in earthquake design codes", 1981
- "Mexico earthquakes : Oaxaca - November 29, 1978, Guerrero", 1979

## Personal life

Married to Carol Forell.[1] Daughters[4] Katey (finance) and Anne (architect)

## References

1. ["OBITUARY -- Nicholas Forell"](http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/OBITUARY-Nicholas-Forell-3012477.php). 26 February 1998.

1. ["PCAD - Nicholas Forell"](http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/1739/)

1. ["PCAD - Nicholas Forell"](http://pcad.lib.washington.edu/person/1739/)

1. [https://www.eeri.org/site/images/projects/oralhistory/forell.pdf](https://www.eeri.org/site/images/projects/oralhistory/forell.pdf)

1. ["History | Forell/Elsesser Engineers, Inc"](http://www.forell.com/history/). 2 February 2013.[dead link]

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