Ralph Korte, founder of a major Midwestern construction firm, has died
Ralph Korte, the founder who built a Midwestern construction company into a multi-hundred-million-dollar firm and a pioneer of the design‑build method, died on Aug. 26. Reports list his age at death as 91, though some accounts also put his age at 90 with a birth year of 1934, creating a discrepancy in public records.
Company size and reach
The business Korte founded in the late 1950s remains a significant regional contractor, reporting roughly $552 million in revenue last year in one accounting and $553.3 million in another line of research. The firm is headquartered in St. Louis while maintaining ties to its original home community in Highland, Illinois, and is reported to employ about 250 people. Company records say it has completed more than 4,000 projects across the United States since its founding and works on hospitals, factories, distribution centers and schools.
Leadership and transition
Korte served as CEO from the company’s founding in 1958 until 2001 and later held the title of chairman emeritus. He retired and transferred ownership of the firm to his children and other stakeholders in 2008. His son now serves as the company’s executive chairman and continues in a leadership role at the firm.
Innovations and building practices
Under Korte’s direction, the company embraced early technology and construction methods. The firm used computers for estimating, scheduling and planning long before such tools were common in the trade. It was an early adopter of Building Information Modeling (BIM), promoted design‑build delivery, and completed projects meeting LEED standards. The company also used tilt‑up construction, a method that lifts large concrete wall panels into place with cranes, bracing them until fully secured.
Business model and services
The company evolved from residential work to commercial construction in the early 1960s and established an in‑house design‑build division in 1977. Its service offerings include architectural design, construction management, general contracting, historic building restoration, interior design and surveying. Industry rankings place the firm among the nation’s larger contractors and among the top companies in design‑build delivery nationally.
Personal background and philanthropy
Korte grew up on a family farm in Highland, Illinois, where he was one of 14 children. As a teen he helped neighbors with projects, and at 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, earning a high school equivalency before serving overseas. After military service he launched the construction business with a modest investment in an electric saw—reported in different accounts as either $79 or $179—and began working on residential jobs before shifting to commercial work.
He took college classes to build business skills, later served on boards for local nonprofits including a major botanical garden, and funded construction and recreational projects in his community with multi‑million-dollar gifts. A recreation complex in his hometown bears his name, reflecting his philanthropic investments in local infrastructure and training.
Legacy and community impact
Colleagues and family members credit Korte with changing how many builders think about projects by encouraging closer collaboration between design and construction teams, insisting on accountability and pushing for technological adoption. Observers note the company’s long record of public and private projects, a culture of hands‑on leadership, and an emphasis on workforce development and client relationships.
Related community efforts
Members of the extended family have led community and agricultural projects as well. One family member has been active in preserving and operating an organic education farm that provides produce to local markets and programs focused on food access and farming education, demonstrating the family’s broader civic involvement beyond construction.
What remains uncertain
Several details about Korte’s life and the company’s early days are reported with slight variations across accounts, including his exact age at death, the exact dollar amount of his first saw purchase, and a small difference in last year’s revenue totals. These differences are reflected here to give a full view of the public record.
How the company will move forward
The firm remains active under the next generation of leadership and continues to offer a full slate of construction and design services. Its place on national contractor lists and continued project work suggest the business will carry on the operational and cultural practices established by its founder.
FAQ
When did Ralph Korte die?
He died on Aug. 26. Public reports list two different ages at death—91 in multiple passages and 90 in another passage that cites a 1934 birth year.
How large is the company he founded?
The company reported roughly $552 million in revenue in one account and $553.3 million in another research line for the most recent year. It is reported to have about 250 employees and to have completed over 4,000 projects since 1958.
What is the company known for?
The firm is known for pioneering design‑build delivery, early adoption of construction technology such as BIM, use of tilt‑up construction, and delivery of LEED‑certified projects.
Who leads the company now?
Leadership moved to the founder’s family and stakeholders when he retired; his son now serves in the company’s top leadership role.
Did Korte give back to the community?
Yes. He served on nonprofit boards, funded local construction and educational programs, and donated to facilities and training initiatives in his community.
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ralph Korte |
| Date of company founding | 1958 |
| Reported revenue (most recent year) | $552 million and $553.3 million (two reported figures) |
| Employees | Approximately 250 |
| Projects completed | More than 4,000 across the U.S. |
| Noted innovations | Design‑build, BIM, tilt‑up construction, early computer use |
| Services | Architectural design, construction management, general contracting, restoration, interior design, surveying |
| Community giving | Multi‑million donations for education and recreation projects; nonprofit board service |