Michael D. Kerr, former president of Hunt Construction Group, died in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Jan. 25 at the age of 81. No cause of death was disclosed.

He built a successful career at the firm, serving as president from 1995 until he retired in 2004. During his career, he supervised the construction of numerous, high-profile professional sports stadiums including Heinz Field, Conseco Fieldhouse and the United Center.

“Mike was a builder,” says Daniel Peyton, executive vice president of Plaza Construction. “He was a mentor to many people, including me.  I recall that when we were driving into Pittsburgh for the interview with the Steelers [football] organization for the construction of Heinz Field, he said, ‘How on earth are we proposing a team of 17 people for this?! When I did Three Rivers Stadium, it was just me, a superintendent and a plan boy!’ This industry needs more like him.”

Kerr earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 1960 and later a Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award in 2002.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's United Methodist in Carmel, Ind., on March 14, 1:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Michael D. Kerr memorial scholarship at the Lyles School of Civil Engineering, payable to the Purdue Foundation, 403 W. Wood Street, West Lafayette, Ind. 47907 or visit: http://giving.purdue.edu/MichaelKerrMemorial