St. Louis, Missouri, August 29, 2025
News Summary
Ralph Korte, founder of a prominent Midwestern construction company and an early proponent of the design‑build method, has died. He built the firm from residential beginnings into a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar regional contractor known for early technology adoption, BIM, tilt‑up construction and LEED projects. The company reports roughly $552–$553.3 million in revenue, about 250 employees and more than 4,000 completed projects. Korte led the business from its founding in 1958 until retirement, later transferring ownership to family and stakeholders. His philanthropy and local investments include a namesake recreation complex and community programs.
Ralph Korte, founder of The Korte Co., dies at about 91; a design-build pioneer and builder of a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar firm
A prominent figure in regional construction has passed away. The individual led a St. Louis‑area contractor from a small start‑up to a major design‑build firm, leaving a lasting mark on how projects are planned, designed and delivered. The news notes that the death occurred on a late‑summer date, with the reported age at death varying in source material between 90 and 91, and the year not specified in the initial notice. The company he founded remains based in Highland, Illinois, with an additional presence in the nearby St. Louis area as it entered its next chapter.
The Korte Co. has a long and documented record of growth since its founding in 1958, rising from residential work to become a national contractor known for integrating design and construction under a single roof. The firm has completed more than 4,000 projects across the United States, spanning hospitals, factories, distribution centers and schools. In financial terms, last year’s revenue figures cited in the source material range in the mid‑$500 millions, with numbers reported as $552 million in one passage and $553.3 million in another, depending on the source. The workforce is consistently cited at around 250 employees.
Leadership timeline and corporate approach
The founder led the company as CEO from its inception in 1958 until 2001, after which he remained involved as chairman emeritus until his passing. He retired in 2008 and the business was subsequently passed to his children and other stakeholders. The leadership lineage now includes a transition in which a family member took on the role of executive chairman, signaling a continuation of the family’s influence on strategy and culture.
Central to the company’s growth was a distinctive business model that emphasized design‑build delivery and a hands‑on approach to project execution. The executive leadership included a strong emphasis on collaboration, accountability and innovation, with a focus on delivering projects under a unified design and construction framework. This approach is associated with earlier adoption of technology and integrated processes that helped the firm complete a diverse portfolio of large and complex projects.
Technology, projects and market position
The firm was an early adopter of technology, leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM) and computers for estimating, scheduling and planning. It was also among the early advocates of design‑build as a preferred project delivery method, promoting collaboration across design and construction teams and demonstrating that alignment can improve outcomes. The company delivered LEED‑certified projects, reflecting a commitment to sustainable building practices and documented performance benchmarks. A key milestone in its delivery approach was the adoption of tilt‑up construction, an efficiency‑driven method in which large concrete wall panels are raised into position and braced during setting, enabling faster project timelines for a variety of building types.
Over the decades, The Korte Co. broadened its service lines to include architectural design, construction management, general contracting, historic building restoration, interior design, and surveys, positioning itself as a full‑service firm capable of handling complex, multi‑discipline projects. The company has long claimed a national footprint, with operations anchored in its Highland, Illinois origins and a significant presence in the St. Louis area. Industry recognition in various rankings has signaled the firm’s growth and sustained activity in both design‑build and the broader contracting landscape.
Legacy, philanthropy and community involvement
Beyond its project portfolio, the firm’s leadership contributed to community initiatives and higher education. The leadership and associated family initiatives included leadership roles on non‑profit boards and philanthropic gifts. Notably, donations were directed toward funding construction education and community facilities, including a six‑figure investment to support a program at the founder’s alma mater and a sizeable gift to build a recreation facility in the founder’s hometown. These philanthropic efforts underscored a broader philosophy of giving back to the communities that supported the firm’s growth and the development of local industry talent.
Notes on data variations and historical context
Several data points in the source material show variations, including the founder’s exact age at death (reported as 91 in some passages and 90 in others), the initial startup investment figures (reported as $79 and $179), and the precise last‑year revenue (reported as $552 million or $553.3 million). The narrative also reflects the firm’s evolution from residential beginnings to a predominant commercial focus in the early 1960s, and the formalization of internal design‑build capabilities in the late 1970s with the creation of an internal planning and management division. While these variations exist in the source material, the overarching arc describes a founder who built a regional contractor into a significant national player through technology adoption, integrated delivery and a long‑term commitment to workforce development and client relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Korte Co. known for?
The Korte Co. is a design‑build contractor recognized for integrating design and construction, early technology use, and delivering a wide range of projects, including LEED‑certified facilities across the United States.
Who was Ralph Korte?
Ralph Korte founded The Korte Co., led it as CEO for several decades, and later served as chairman emeritus until his death, guiding the company from a small startup to a major industry player.
What were some key innovations associated with the company under Korte?
Key innovations include early adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), the use of computers for estimating, scheduling and planning, the promotion of design‑build as a primary delivery method, and the use of tilt‑up construction.
What is known about the company’s size and revenue?
The firm has completed thousands of projects since 1958, with last‑year revenue reported in the mid‑$500 million range (figures vary by source), and a workforce around 250 employees.
What is the legacy of Ralph Korte?
He is remembered for growing a regional contractor into an industry leader through integrated delivery, technology adoption, and a focus on collaboration and accountability, along with community and educational philanthropy.
| Feature | Description | Data points |
|---|---|---|
| Founder | The Korte Co. founder who led the firm into the design‑build era | Ralph Korte; founded 1958 |
| Delivery approach | Integrated design and construction under one roof; emphasis on collaboration | Design‑build leader; internal planning division started 1977 |
| Technology adoption | Early use of BIM, computers for estimating/scheduling/planning | BIM adoption; tilt‑up construction |
| Scale | Large regional contractor with nationwide project footprint | 4,000+ projects; revenue around mid-500 million; 250 employees |
| Legacy and philanthropy | Community involvement and significant donations | $1 million to alma mater; $1 million to recreation facility in Highland |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- ENR: Obituary — Ralph Korte
- Wikipedia: Ralph Korte
- KSDK: Ralph Korte, founder of The Korte Co., dies
- Google Search: Ralph Korte / The Korte Company
- FOX2Now: Kortes’ vision to preserve EarthDance Farms
- Google Scholar: design‑build Ralph Korte
- Newcomer St. Louis: Robert Korte obituary
- Encyclopedia Britannica: design‑build
- Legacy / St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Monica Korte obituary
- Google News: Ralph Korte
