Prof. Dr. -Ing. Karl-Heinz Reineck passed away on May 10, 2026, shortly before his 85th birthday.
Born in Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Karl-Heinz Reineck enrolled in 1962 to study civil engineering at what was then the Technical University of Stuttgart. After successfully completing his diploma, he became a research assistant to Prof. Fritz Leonhardt at the Institute for Concrete Construction, where he advanced through the ranks to become Academic Director. He remained professionally committed to the institute until the end. As a member of the institute’s administration under Professors Leonhardt, Schlaich, and, Sobek at what is since 2021 the ILEK (Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design), he was actively involved in management, teaching, and various university committees.
His research focused on special concrete structures and their complex calculations. These included offshore platforms and hot-water thermal storage tanks, as well as UHPC shells. A particular focus was the theoretical and experimental investigation of the shear strength of structural components, a subject he had already worked on during his PhD thesis. He also contributed to teaching and the further development of the truss-tie model method, an important area of research at the institute, in numerous international forums.
Thanks to his specialized expertise, Prof. Reineck made an impressive contribution to the international network of concrete standards organizations: as a member of the German Committee for Reinforced Concrete (DAfStb), the Comité Euro-International du Béton (CEB), and the Fédération Internationale de la Précontrainte (FIP), which later merged to form the Fédération internationale du béton (fib). Of particular note is his membership in the American Concrete Institute (ACI), which named him a Fellow (FACI) in March 2003 and an Honorary Member in 2015.
Throughout his life, Karl-Heinz Reineck felt a close connection to the University of Sarajevo, where he played a key role in supporting the reconstruction of the civil engineering department and gave numerous lectures and seminars. In recognition of his remarkable initiative, he was awarded the title of Associate Professor at the University of Sarajevo in 2003.
With the passing of Prof. Reineck, the international scientific community and the University of Stuttgart have lost a conscientious researcher, university professor, and dedicated colleague. Highly regarded by students, his doctoral candidates, staff, and colleagues throughout his more than forty years of active service to the University of Stuttgart, the Institute owes a great deal to Karl-Heinz Reineck. We will always remember him fondly and with deep respect.