Nick Johns-Wickberg
AIRAH is sad to inform members that former president and James Harrison Medallist Alan Obrart, L.AIRAH, has passed away aged 83.
Alan was a true legend of both AIRAH and the Australian HVAC&R industry. He held the AIRAH presidency from 1991–92 and was awarded the James Harrison Medal – the Institute’s highest honour – in 2018. He was an AIRAH member for 43 years, having joined in 1981.
Alan also held distinguished positions with Engineers Australia, the Society of Building Services Engineers, RACCA and AMCA. In 2014, he was inducted into the ARBS Hall of Fame.
A storied career
As part of AIRAH’s 100 Faces campaign to celebrate the Institute’s centenary, Alan was asked why he decided to pursue a career in HVAC&R building services. He responded with typical dry humour: “An early interest in air conditioning as a technology … and the delusion I could make good money in this industry.”
Alan was the owner of a design-and-construct air conditioning contracting business, which ran from 1976–2000. After selling the business, he continued as a consulting engineer in building services.
When most people might be looking to retire, he also took on the role of adjunct senior lecturer and co-ordinator for Sydney University’s graduate building services program, where he worked to provide better learning outcomes for young (and not so young) engineers and architects.
The mighty pen
One of Alan’s greatest attributes was his willingness to share his knowledge with others in the industry. He was a regular contributor to Ecolibrium, AIRAH’s official journal, having last penned a feature in December 2023. In 2016, he published a textbook – Building Services Engineering for Architects and Building Services Professionals.
Alan’s writing was witty and insightful, but never flippant; he had a knack for taking complex technical issues and presenting them in a way people could understand. He also took the time to explore multiple perspectives in his writing, always acknowledging that there were other sides to the story and trying to understand them rather than deriding them.
Ecolibrium will indeed be poorer without Alan’s regular contributions.
Remembering the man
Alan was the beloved husband of Alexa, father to Natalie and Juliet, grandpa to Alice, Rose and Lawrence, and brother to Lindsay. He will be sorely missed by Nicholas, Duncan and Guy.
A memorial service in honour of Alan’s life will take place on Sunday, October 27 at 10am in the Millie Phillips Building of Emanuel Synagogue, Ocean St, Woollahra, NSW.
AIRAH extends its deepest condolences to Alan’s family and friends at this difficult time.
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