Funeral Details

Sherwin P. Asrow, Chicago Structural Engineering Icon, Passes Away at 101 Years of Age

Sherwin P. Asrow passed away October 3, 2023, in the midcentury modern house he designed and built 67 years ago in Highland Park, Illinois. Sherwin was born in Chicago, IL on July 20, 1922, the son of Ike Asrow and Edith (Zuick) Asrow. Sherwin attended Crane Technical High School in Chicago and went to attend The Illinois Institute of Technology receiving a B.S.C.E. and later attended University of Illinois at Urbana receiving an M.S.C.E. He served as First Class Electronic Technician mate in the U.S. Navy during WWII. From 1947 to 1976 he worked at C.F. Murphy as a Structural Engineer and eventually Chief Structural Engineer. He had engineering design responsibilities for numerous projects, most notably for Mercy Hospital in Chicago; Bunker Hill Air Force Field in Peru, Indiana; the Chicago O'Hare Airport; the Prudential Building; the First National Bank Building (now Chase); the FBI Building in Washington, D.C.; McCormick Place on the Lake after the fire in 1969; Water Tower Place; Willis Tower (Sears Tower) Main Antennas. After leaving C.F. Murphy in 1976, Sherwin started his own firm, S.P. Asrow Associates, Ltd. His firm was responsible for the design of the four FM Antennas on the corners of the Willis Tower (Sears Tower) roof. In 1969, Sherwin was one of the founding members of the Chicago Committee on High Rise Buildings, and has served as Chairman. This Committee has been responsible for the City ordinance that deals with fire in tall buildings. Sherwin was a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and received the "Lifetime Achievement Award" in 1999. Sherwin also received the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois 2020 John F. Parmer Award. He was a member of other like organizations. He has received numerous Awards in recognition of his service. He was a licensed Structural Engineer in Illinois and California and a registered Professional Engineer in 15 other states. He was also a registered Architect in Illinois.
In 2023, Sherwin authored a book: “Architectural Engineering of Second Chicago School Structures 1947-2009 and Genesis of a House 1956”. His book is available online at Amazon, and is also available for purchase at the Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL.
He was devoted to his family. He was one of the founding members of Congregation Makom Solel Lakeside in Highland Park, Illinois. He was an avid golfer since age 11, and played 9 holes of golf on his 100th birthday!
Sherwin was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Leanora Kraft Asrow, who passed in December 2021. He is survived by daughters, Edith Asrow and Rene Nissim, and son Bret Asrow; grandchildren Kaitlin Asrow (Scott), Yehudit Gabay (Ariel), Eliel Nissim (Mor), Dr. Alexandra Asrow, Gabriela Asrow, Emmanuella Asrow; great grandchildren, Re'em Gabay, Liya Gabay, and Sahar Gabay, Liam Guriel and Zahar Guriel, and Ezra Sherwin Neidhold.

Graveside service Friday, October 6, 2023, 10:30 AM at Waldheim Jewish Cemetery (Gate 54), 1400 Des Plaines Ave., Forest Park, IL. To attend the graveside funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.