In Memory
July 2017
It is with profound sadness that we share the recent loss of two members of our Buehler family - Pat Vujovich and Mel Ramey
Pat Vujovich
Patrick E. Vujovich, S.E. - Chairman of the Board, President, Structural Engineer [Retired]
Pat joined Buehler in 1983 when Walt (D) Buehler was starting to look towards retirement and thought the firm needed someone with some grey hair. Pat became President in 1985 and grew the firm from 5 employees to over 40 during his tenure. In 2005, he became Chairman of the Board and Principal Emeritus, retiring in 2010. Pat instilled in the firm a deep culture of customer service, and the mantra that you never burn a bridge. He was licensed as a Structural Engineer in 7 states, taught part-time at UCD and CSUS, and served on many professional boards. Pat co-authored Appendix A of the Uniform Code for Building Conservation, one of the first code documents to be published for seismic retrofit of unreinforced masonry buildings.
While at Buehler, he was Project Manager for more than 500 projects, and design engineer for over 400 projects. Notable projects include Capital Square, Folsom Prison Expansion, Lincoln Plaza, Sacramento Convention Center Expansion, Sacramento International Airport Terminal A, and Hills Plaza in San Francisco.
Pat was a dedicated family man and loved the San Francisco Giants and 49ers. In 1994, he became the 43rd person to receive a heart transplant at Sutter Memorial Hospital, and was blessed with an additional 23 years of life thanks to the generosity of his donor family. Pat will be remembered for his charisma, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to his clients, his employees, and his family.
Mel Ramey
Melvin R. Ramey, Ph.D., P.E. - Champion of In-House Education [Retired]
Mel Ramey was a Professor of Civil Engineering at UC Davis for 37 years. Upon retiring from academia, he was looking for his next adventure and turned to Buehler. Mel's connection with Buehler dated back to the late 1970s when he had two young students in his classes - Dave Hutchinson and Ron Migliori. Both Dave and Ron credit Mel with their start, and success, as structural engineers. Upon joining Buehler in 2005, Mel brought a focus and formal structure to our in-house education that the firm had not previously known. Mel retired from Buehler in the summer of 2016. That fall, UC Davis dedicated the lobby of the Student Community Center on campus to Mel for his contributions to the university. It was particularly fitting that the building was designed by Buehler engineers who were his students.
Mel loved track and field and supported many athletes over the decades. He utilized his engineering knowledge to study the mechanics of motion and was a consultant to the U.S. Olympic team on biomechanic force plates. He was a devoted husband and father, and enjoyed having the latest in Apple technology. Mel loved conversation, and would always make the rounds checking in to see how everyone was doing. In reply, his signature response was "Mel's well."
Pat and Mel - we all miss you!