In Memoriam: Dr. Karl Romstad

Dr. Karl Romstad, a beloved professor of civil engineering, passed away recently at the age of 83.

Originally from Wisconsin, Karl found his way to UC Davis in 1967 after completing his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin. This was only 5 years after the founding of the department. Karl, along with other early department faculty, established an incredible culture, one that challenges people to achieve great things while celebrating the collective success of everyone. As Karl told fellow professor Ed Schoeder in an interview in 2000, he chose to come to UC Davis because of the people.

Karl was a renowned engineer known for his expertise in seismic structural design. He was among the first people in the country to apply mathematical programming techniques to optimize structural systems using computers, which were at the time large mainframe systems that took up entire rooms. After the 1971 San Fernando earthquake Karl found himself increasingly pulled to address major challenges in earthquake engineering, along with complex problems at the intersection of structural, geotechnical, and water resources engineering. He maintained strong ties with the professional engineering community that shaped both his research and teaching.

While an exceptional researcher, Karl ultimately found that his big passion was in teaching. He brought a lighthearted wit that students and colleagues alike found infectious. He was a consummate educator who was able to connect with students in ways that allowed them to thrive both in and outside the classroom. Karl made a point of finding ways to motivate students and build their interest in the subject by trying to make the material as real as possible and connect it to their current lives as students or their future lives as professional engineers.  He cared deeply about the learning and lives of the students he taught and mentored. As a career highlight, Karl received the UC Davis Distinguished Teaching Award in 1990.

Karl was a generous department and university citizen, serving twice as the Chair of the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department as well as the Chair of the UC Davis Academic Senate. He is remembered by colleagues as exceptionally supportive, upbeat, and full of good humor. Together he and his wife, Connie, helped to build a wonderful community across the department.

Although Karl retired from UC Davis in 2000 the incredible foundation that he helped establish continues to thrive. As shared by a former PhD student, Prof. Tara Hutchinson (UCSD), “the world is a better place thanks to amazing instructors, researchers, and genuine humans like Karl Romstad.”

A celebration of life is being held for Karl on April 13th at 3 pm at Davis United Methodist Church, 1620 Anderson Road in Davis. This is open to all interested in attending.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that people consider a charitable donation in the name of Karl M. Romstad, to one of the following: 1) Yolo Cares at https://yolocares.org/give/; 2) Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org; or 3) The Davis Lutheran Church, 317 E. Eighth St., Davis, CA 95616.

Grateful and generous alumni have also come together to show their appreciation for Karl by establishing an endowed chair in Professor Romstad’s name. If you are interested in making a contribution to the Karl M. Romstad Endowed Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering, please visit this page or contact Leigh Ann Hartman, Assistant Dean of Development and External Relations, at lahartman@ucdavis.edu or 530-304-8256.