The inventor of the Roof Hugger and a leader in the Steel Building Industry, D.V. Red McConnohie

About Red:
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of D.V. “Red” McConnohie, the inventor of the Roof Hugger and a leader in the Steel Building Industry. “Red” passed quietly in his sleep at the age of 87, New Years evening. He is survived by his 2 daughters, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Born and raised in Galesburg, Michigan, Red later served his country in WWII from England with the 8th Air Force in B-17’s. After the WWII he eventually moved to South Florida, working as a salesman of reinforcement steel. This is where he saw his first “all welded” pre-engineered metal building being constructed. These buildings were revolutionary compared to the Quonset huts of the military. He knew this was a technology that would forever change the construction industry and he wanted to be in the middle of it.

Red relocated to Tampa, Fl and went to work in sales for the then brand new American Buildings Company; eventually becoming a Varco Pruden Design Build General Contractor in Tampa, Florida in the late 60’s. He developed several industrial parks and constructed hundreds of buildings in Florida, the Caribbean, and various parts of the U.S.

It was after his retirement from contracting that he had an idea for the re-roofing of steel buildings and in the early 1990’s the “Roof Hugger” was born. He was a pioneer having been part of the development of a dynamic industry specializing in the use of metal in construction. Red knew how to read into the future and see things that most of us couldn’t. He was a visionary, a dynamic business leader and will be honored for many years to come by his long time partner, the staff and countless customers of the company he helped to found, Roof Hugger, Inc.

Red made a lasting impression on everyone he met or spoke to and was one of the real icons that have come out of our industry.

Hugs to you Red, from us all!

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