Charles Herbert 2007 - Iowa State University Alumni Association

Charles Herbert 2007

Chick Herbert

Charles E. Herbert

BS '51, Architectural Engineering
Des Moines, Iowa

Charles Herbert (’51 architecture) of Des Moines, Iowa, has had a profound impact on the built environment in Iowa as a result of his more than 50 years of architectural leadership, design, and innovation. In 1961, he founded Charles Herbert and Associates, and in 1987 organized Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck (HLKB) Architecture.

Under Herbert’s leadership, HLKB developed into one of the leading architectural firms in the nation. In 2001 HLKB received the National American Institute of Architects Firm Award, one of 37 so recognized since 1961. They have also received seven National AIA Honor Awards, 77 Central States Region AIA Honor Awards, 130 Iowa AIA Honor awards, and 37 other state, regional, and national design awards. Herbert retired as a principal of HLKB in 1996.

Notable facilities HLKB designed in Des Moines during Herbert’s tenure include the Civic Center and Nollen Plaza, Meredith Corporate headquarters and Gateway expansion, Center Street transportation facility and, at Iowa State, the College of Design, Black Engineering, and Jacobson Athletic buildings, the Parks Library addition, the remodeling of Alumni Hall, and Maple Hall. The Civic Center and Meredith Gateway projects were recognized as best in their decades in AIA Iowa’s 100 Years of Iowa Architecture awards program.

Herbert has provided outstanding leadership and service to his profession, his community, and his alma mater. In 1976 he was elected to Fellowship by the American Institute of Architects and received the Iowa AIA’s first Gold Medal of Honor award. He is an honorary trustee and past president of the Des Moines Art Center, past president of Iowa State’s National Cyclone Club, served six years as a member of the ISU Athletic Council, and was a Governor of the ISU Foundation. He received the Iowa State College of Engineering Professional Achievement Citation for Architecture in 1975 and the College of Design Christian Petersen Design Award in 1985.

Herbert attended Rice University, where he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. While a student at Iowa State, he lettered in varsity basketball and was a member of several honor societies.

He and his first wife, Adrienne (’51 home economics education), were members of the Order of the Knoll and parents of five sons: Jeffrey, Christopher, Timothy (’82 computer science), Matthew, and Charles II (’89 industrial engineering). In 1998 he married Marilyn Wyant Connelly (’51 home economics education), who is mother to Craig Connelly (’77 industrial administration) and Sally Connelly Euson (’79 industrial administration). He and Marilyn are annual members of the ISU Alumni Association and Order of the Knoll. 

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