The CFA loses a strong friend and ally.

Brad Barnes (left) and CFA Member, Scott Smith of MPW Construction Services (right) hard at work preparing cylinders for Phase I cold weather research at Master Builders Lab in Ohio.

Thomas Bradley (Brad) Barnes, 63, of Medina passed away suddenly, following complications from surgery on Friday, July 4, 2014. He was born May 29, 1951 in Fairmont, W.Va. to Ed and Dean Barnes. Brad graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1969 and received a B.S. and Masters Degree in Civil Engineering and MBA from West Virginia University. Brad was the owner of North Central Engineering in Canton, Ohio which is an engineering and consulting firm. He enjoyed golfing, WVU sports, gardening and spending time with his family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathryn (Kitty) Austin Barnes; loving sons, Troy Barnes and wife, Julie of Medina, Ohio and Bryan Barnes and wife, Amy of LaGrange, Ohio; grandsons, Jake and Luke Barnes and Michael and Andrew Lade of Medina; sister, Rutha (Ruthie) Barnes of Fairmont, W.Va.; mother-in-law, Bonnie Austin of Thornton, W.Va.; brothers-in-law, Danny Austin, Marty and Marie Austin, and Terry and Michelle Austin; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Dean Barnes and father-in-law, Neil Austin.

Friends and family may call on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 from 1-8 p.m. at Waite & Son Funeral Home, 3300 Center Road, Brunswick 44212. Services will take place at 8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. A memorial service and interment will take place in West Virginia at a later date. Contributions may be made in Brad’s memory to the Granger Fire Department, 3737 Ridge Road, Medina, OH 44256. Online condolences may be left at www.waitefuneralhome.com, Waite & Son, 330-225-1770

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A CFA Legacy

Brad was an instrumental part of the leadership team that developed and delivered cold weather research for residential cast-in-place foundation walls.  This research began in 2001 and concluded with the 75 page report published in 2004.  Since then, this report has revolutionized the approach contractors, ready mix producers and building inspectors take toward constructing concrete foundations in northern climates during the fall and winter months.  This research has also had a shaping influence on the modern version of ACI 306 and is a foundational element to the ACI/CFA Residential Foundation Technician Certification.

Brad Barnes and former CFA Member, Terry Lavy of Lavy Concrete (left) present the preliminary findings of the cold weather research during the CFA Annual Convention in Myrtle Beach, SC (2003).

“It is hard to imagine the success of one of this industry’s most defining contributions without Brad’s leadership and professionalism,” states Jim Baty, Managing Director for the CFA.  “Exemplary in all aspects of his participation and leadership of the research team, Brad contributed a tireless effort for the good of an entire industry.”

Barnes was honored in 2004 by the Concrete Foundations Association with the inaugural offering of the MVP Award, for his contributions to the Cold Weather Research effort.  He went on to conduct many seminars for the CFA and Ohio Concrete to promote the benefits of the research.  Many contractors throughout the Association benefitted from one-on-one communication with him to develop a core approach to cold and frozen weather conditions.  Barnes also participated with contractors as far as Alaska, meeting with code departments and discussing the parameters of cold weather performance to establish more effective and reasonable guidelines for such work.

“Brad played such a great part in the cold weather testing,” stated CFA Member, Sean Smith of MPW Construction Services.  “Which all of us, at least us northerners, benefited so greatly.”

Barnes and North Central Engineering, the firm he started and managed, was a member of the CFA from 2002 to 2009.