Leonhard Obermeyer

Leonhard Obermeyer, born 1924 in Großmehring, was one of the most visionary and influential German civil engineers. From 1958 to 2006 he headed the Civil Engineering Consultancy Obermeyer Planen + Beraten, now one of the most important engineering offices in Southern Germany with more than 1200 employees worldwide.

Leonhard Obermeyer was a pioneer regarding the use of computers in civil engineering. In his company, he installed an IBM 1130 computer as early as 1970. Still today, his company is dedicated to the development and application of innovative computational methods in architecture and civil engineering.

Leonhard Obermeyer studied Civil Engineering at TUM from 1948 to 1953 and graduated with honors. In 1970 he finished his Ph.D. thesis under the supervision of Prof. Stefaniak, again with honors. He was appointed Honorary Professor at the University of Leipzig and received numerous prestigious awards, among them the Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse and the Konrad Zuse Medal.

Among his most important engineering projects was the planning of the traffic hub Karlsplatz-Stachus in the city center of Munich, which provides inter-connections between different subway and tram lines as well as extensive shopping areas. With a volume of 500 000 m³ in four underground storeys it was one of the most challenging construction projects back then.

Leonhard Obermeyer was Honorary Senator of Technische Universität München. He and his wife Gertrude have been intensively involved with the creation of the TUM University Foundation and contributed significant donations.

Leonhard Obermeyer passed away on December 28th, 2011.