Regional construction company campus showcasing tilt-up construction and modern facilities.
St. Louis, Missouri, August 29, 2025
Ralph Korte, founder of a prominent Midwestern construction company and an early proponent of the design‑build method, has died. He built the firm from residential beginnings into a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar regional contractor known for early technology adoption, BIM, tilt‑up construction and LEED projects. The company reports roughly $552–$553.3 million in revenue, about 250 employees and more than 4,000 completed projects. Korte led the business from its founding in 1958 until retirement, later transferring ownership to family and stakeholders. His philanthropy and local investments include a namesake recreation complex and community programs.
The construction world mourns the passing of Ralph Korte, the founder of a St. Louis‑area contractor known for shaping how projects are planned and built. He died on Aug. 26, with reports placing his age at 91, though some records show a 90‑year‑old note and a birth year of 1934. The company he built from modest beginnings grew into a major regional and national player, earning substantial revenue last year and employing hundreds of people.
Korte grew up on a family farm in Highland, Illinois, near St. Louis. In his teens he helped neighbors with farm projects, a start that fed his work ethic. He joined the U.S. Army at 18 and earned a high school equivalency degree during his service in Korea. After returning home, he started a small construction venture with a modest stake, cited in various accounts as a $79 purchase for an electric saw and, in another version, a $179 investment. The business initially tackled residential projects before shifting to commercial work in 1963, a move that defined the company’s future path.
The Korte Co. began in 1958 and grew under Korte’s leadership as chief executive through 2001, after which he served as chairman emeritus until his death. He retired in 2008 and sold the company to his children and other stakeholders, passing the reins to a new generation. Throughout his tenure, he emphasized a hands‑on, values‑driven approach that blended management with field leadership.
One of Korte’s defining ideas was to bring design and construction under one roof, a design‑build approach that prioritized collaboration, accountability, and innovation. He was an early adopter of technology for estimating, scheduling, and planning, and he was a pioneer in using Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve project outcomes. The firm has delivered LEED‑certified projects, signaling a commitment to sustainability alongside traditional construction strength.
With a portfolio that spans hospitals, factories, distribution centers, and schools, The Korte Co. has completed more than 4,000 projects since its 1958 start. The company provides a broad suite of services, including architectural design, construction management, general contracting, historic building restoration, interior design, and surveying. The firm has served clients across the United States and maintains a St. Louis headquarters along with operations in Highland, Illinois.
Financial figures reported for last year place the company’s revenue in the mid‑ to high‑$500 millions, with figures cited as $552 million in one account and $553.3 million in another based on research. The company has been described as employing roughly 250 people. In industry rankings, The Korte Co. has been listed among the top design‑build firms and has earned recognition in contractor lists for years of steady growth and project execution strength.
Korte’s leadership extended beyond business, including board work for local nonprofits and public projects. He donated significant funds to support education and community facilities, including a construction program at his alma mater and a recreation facility in his hometown. His son, Todd Korte, who serves as executive chairman, has spoken about his father’s daily demonstration of values, work ethic, and respect for all people. The sharing of leadership between generations is framed as a continuation of a culture that valued practical know‑how, teamwork, and building both structures and people.
Beyond The Korte Co., notes in the broader materials mention EarthDance Farms, led by Molly Rockamann Korte, which preserves historic farmland and offers education and organic produce. The EarthDance program operates on a historic property and emphasizes community access to fresh food through farm stands and educational activities. The inclusion of this context underscores a broader theme in the region of combining industry, education, and community well‑being.
Ralph Korte’s life and leadership are viewed as a blend of practical craft, strategic growth, and a forward‑looking approach to technology and collaboration. His work helped redefine how projects are conceived and delivered, and his influence on the region’s construction scene is expected to endure through the company’s ongoing leadership and the ongoing work of those who carried his vision forward.
The founder of a major St. Louis area construction firm, Korte built a design‑build‑focused company that grew into a large, multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar enterprise with a broad national footprint.
He championed a design‑build model, promoted early adoption of technology in estimating and planning, and supported integrated project delivery to improve collaboration and outcomes.
Reports place last year’s revenue in the mid‑ to high‑$500 millions, with figures around $552 million and $553.3 million cited in different sources; the workforce was listed around 250 employees.
His legacy includes philanthropy and leadership that emphasized people, communities, and education, with notable donations and involvement in local nonprofits and community initiatives.
A separate note mentions a farm initiative that preserves historic farmland and supports local education and access to healthy foods, illustrating a broader interest in community well‑being.
| Key feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ralph Korte, founder of The Korte Co., a St. Louis‑area construction firm |
| Core practice | Design‑build integration; early BIM adoption; LEED‑certified projects |
| Business scale | Completed more than 4,000 projects since 1958; revenue in the mid‑ to high‑$500 millions range last year |
| Industrial scope | Hospitals, factories, distribution centers, schools, and historic restoration |
| Location | Headquartered in St. Louis with operations in Highland, Illinois |
| Leadership timeline | CEO from 1958 to 2001; retirement in 2008; later chairman emeritus |
| Philanthropy | Donations to education programs and a recreation facility; involvement with local nonprofits |
| Legacy framework | Focus on collaboration, accountability, and building people as well as buildings |
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