Theodore “Ted” Galambos is a Emeritus Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Ted joined the department in 1981 and retired in 1997, but he continues to publish scholarly articles, give presentations around the world, and participate on code writing committees. Galambos’ research areas are the reliability of structures, structural design standards, and stability of steel structures. He has authored over one hundred publications on various aspects of structural engineering, and participated in almost every major specification committee for metal structures in the U.S.
The significance of Galambos’ work in the field of engineering is celebrated by his election to the National Academy of Engineering. His single largest contribution to the field is his key role in developing the reliability based load factor and resistance design code for steel structures that is used today. In fact, in 1999 a writer for the American Institute of Steel Construction dubbed Galambos "The Father of LRFD." Some of his other accolades include the 2002 American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) OPAL Award, honorary membership in ASCE, and honorary doctorates from the Technical University of Budapest, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Minnesota.