Obituary: Tunneling, CIPP Pioneer Robert ‘Bob’ Affholder
Robert “Bob” Affholder, a towering figure in the trenchless construction and technology industry, passed away on July 26, 2024, at the age of 88. He passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and mentorship that significantly shaped the trenchless industry and inspired the careers of countless professionals.
Bob Affholder’s journey in underground construction began in 1958 at Armco Steel Co., where he was first introduced to tunneling and boring systems. In 1968, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his namesake company, Affholder, Inc., which quickly made its mark with an (at the time) landmark $500,000 tunneling project. Over the next two decades, Affholder, Inc. expanded nationwide, completing numerous groundbreaking projects, helping to innovate tunneling technology, and setting new standards in the industry.
A pivotal moment in Bob’s career came in 1982 when a chance meeting on an airplane introduced him to the novel cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology. Recognizing its revolutionary potential for pipeline rehabilitation, Bob partnered with Insituform North America to become its licensee for Kansas and Missouri, incorporating under the Insituform Mid-America name.
With his partner, Jerry Kalishman, Bob eventually grew Insituform Mid-America into the largest licensor and ultimately took the company public. Despite initial challenges, Bob’s determination and innovative approach transformed CIPP from an expensive, risky alternative into a cost-effective, widely accepted solution for repairing failing infrastructure.
Bob’s leadership and vision culminated in the 1996 merger of Insituform North America and Insituform Mid-America, forming Insituform Technologies, Inc. As vice-chairman, Bob guided the company to new heights, driving continued acceptance and growth of CIPP technology and undertaking increasingly complex projects. His relentless pursuit of excellence became the benchmark for all in the trenchless technology industry.
In 2004, Bob left Insituform and later reunited with former protégés Jerry Shaw and Tom Kalishman to form SAK Construction in 2006. SAK quickly became a leader in pipeline rehabilitation, embodying Bob’s principles of hiring the best talent, fostering respect and trust, and delivering world-class services. In 2023, the SAK Tunneling division rebranded as Affholder LLC, marking the return of the iconic name and continuing Bob’s legacy of excellence and innovation.
Throughout his illustrious career, Bob Affholder received numerous accolades reflecting his pioneering contributions to the trenchless technology industry:
- Trenchless Technology Magazine – 1996 Person of the Year
- Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) – 2000 MVP
- North American Society for Trenchless Technology (NASTT) Hall of Fame – 2014 Inductee/Honoree
- Underground Construction Technology – 50th Anniversary Award Recipient
- Trenchless Technology Magazine – Trenchless Pioneer
Bob’s career was built on the principles of hard work, trust, and respect. Growing up as one of 11 siblings on a Kansas farm, he learned from his father that hard work could be enjoyable, especially when shared with people you care about and respect. This ethos shaped Bob’s approach to business and the culture at SAK Construction.
Beyond his professional achievements, Bob Affholder’s legacy lives on in the countless professionals he mentored and the industry he helped pioneer. His presence is irreplaceable, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. As we remember Bob Affholder, we remain committed to honoring his memory by upholding the values he championed and celebrating the innovations he inspired in our industry.
SOURCE – SAK Construction
