Pioneer, mentor, and lifelong advocate for the concrete contractors of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), Dr. Ward R. Malisch passed on May 18, 2025 in Lebanon, Tennessee, after a courageous battle with cancer. As a valued member of the ASCC family, he was a brilliant engineer, respected educator, and a dedicated servant to the concrete construction industry.
In an emailed message to members, the ASCC stated that "[his] contributions will leave a lasting mark on the organization and membership.
The ASCC continues in their memoriam email: Dr. Malisch joined the ASCC in 2008 as our first-ever Director of Engineering, a role he held until 2013. He then served as Concrete Construction Specialist until his retirement in 2020. In both roles, Dr. Malisch was a vital technical resource for ASCC members across the country, translating complex engineering principles into practical, jobsite-ready knowledge that helped members build better and safer concrete projects.
Malisch's career began in academia, following BS, MS, and PhD degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. He went on to teach at three universities before joining the American Concrete Institute (ACI), where he served as Director of Engineering and later Senior Managing Director. Dr. Malisch was an Honorary Member of ACI and an active contributor to several key committees, including ACI 117, 301, and 302, often serving as a bridge between ACI’s technical community and ASCC’s contractor members.
Over his lifetime, he authored or coauthored more than 200 articles, books, reports, and papers on subjects of direct importance to ASCC contractors, including tolerances, floors, and specifications. His work consistently addressed real-world challenges faced on jobsites, and he had a rare gift for offering practical, contractor-focused solutions.
Some of his industry honors reflect the breadth of his impact:
- ASCC Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)
- ACI Arthur Anderson Award (2010)
- ACI Construction Award (2011)
- ACI Roger Corbetta Award (2019)
- NRMCA Richard Gaynor Award (2008)
- Construction Writers Association Silver Hard Hat Award (2006)
Dr. Malisch wasn’t just a technical expert — he was a mentor, a problem-solver, and a champion of concrete contractors. His voice, insights, and passion for quality construction helped shape the culture and credibility of the ASCC we know it today. He will be deeply missed and long remembered.
Our thoughts are with his family and all those in the industry who were fortunate to call him a colleague and friend.
Rest in peace Dr. Malisch. You will be missed.
