Nicholas L. Gianopulos

NICHOLAS L. GIANOPULOS, P.E.

Nicholas L. Gianopulos, 93, passed away on July 21, 2018, at his home in Gladwyne, PA.  Nick was a founding principal of Keast & Hood Company, Structural Engineers.  During his six decades with the firm, he developed creative historic preservation solutions to ensure that future generations would be able to enjoy American architectural treasures such as Independence Hall, Christ Church, the Academy of Music, Carpenter’s Hall, the Merchant’s Exchange, the Fairmount Waterworks, the Edgar Allan Poe House, the Free Quaker Meeting House and Glenmont (Thomas Edison’s home).  Nick was also the engineer for the architects of the Philadelphia School, including Louis I. Kahn, Robert Venturi and Romaldo Giurgola.  His international projects include Kahn’s capital building complex in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Nick served as an adjunct faculty member of the Graduate  School of Fine Arts at the University of Pennsylvania from 1964 to 1991.  He mentored generations of architects and engineers, many of whom continued to seek his advice into his nineties. 

Nick received numerous honors including the Wyck-Strickland Award, the Master Builder’s Award from the Carpenter’s Company of the City and County of Philadelphia and the Harley J. McKee Award from the Association for Preservation Technology.  He was also honored by many organizations including the National Park Service and the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia. 

He was a member of the Eleftheria VFW Post 6633 and a co-author of Honor & Remembrance, a history of this unique post.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, he was a talented photographer, documenting engineering projects and decades of family events with his Rolleicord camera.  Nick was a fantastic cook and famous for his apple pies.

Son of Elia Gianopulos and Pagio (Liakoupoulos) Gianopulos, Nick grew up in the small town of Philipsburg, PA.  He served in the Second Armored Division of the U.S. Army during WWII, fought in the Battle of Bulge and received a Purple Heart Medal.  Following his discharge, he attended Pennsylvania State University and received a B.S. in architectural engineering.

Nick is survived by his wife Antoinette Manos Gianopulos, whom he met at a Hellenic University Club dinner dance in 1950, and his children Christiana N. Gianopulos (Paul H. Butler), Elia N. Gianopulos (Monica Musser Gianopulos) and Elizabeth C. Gianopulos, his granddaughters Georgia Ann Gianopulos and Olivia Nicole Gianopulos, eleven nephews and nieces and thirteen grand-nephews and grand-nieces.  He is survived by his brothers-in-law James R. Ruel and George T. Manos and sisters-in-law Elizabeth N. Manos and Jane A. Siegel.

He was predeceased by his brother Patrick L. Gianopulos, his sister-in-law Norma H. Gianopulos, his sister Georgia Gianopulos Ruel and his brother-in-law John S. Manos. 

Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 27, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service at St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church, 35 North Malin Road, Broomall, PA, and burial at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwd.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia, P.O. Box 42199, Philadelphia, PA 19101-2199.

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