Trestle designer turns 87, returns for visit Published Dec. 5, 2008 By Steve Milligan Nucleus Staff KIRTLAND.AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- The Kirtland AFB Trestle Facility is arguably one of the largest all wood structures in the world, an engineering marvel and a landmark of the Cold War. The reason for the Trestle and its all wood design was to test the affects of electomagnetic pulse, generated during a nuclear explosion, on operational aircraft. The Trestle was built from 1972 to 1980 and the designer and structural engineer on the project was Robert Krause. Mr. Krause and his wife, Doris, recently came back to Kirtland AFB for a visit to one of his engineering accomplishments. He was invited by Valerie Renner, cultural resource manager, 377th Mission Support Group Civil Engineer Division. "Bringing him out and meeting his family was a thrill," Ms. Renner said. "His patience and innovation with the project were incredible and his work on the Trestle, as an historic structure, will be with us for a very long time." Mr. Krause was born Nov. 1, 1921, in Canton, Ohio, a first generation German American. He finished high school in 1939 and enlisted in the Navy but was discharged only 9 months later due to a shattered ear drum. He wanted to go to war and persisted, convincing the Army to take him in 1941. He was sent to Europe and then discharged in 1946. After his stint in the Army he attended the University of New Mexico and received a degree in architectural engineering in 1951 which is also the year he married Doris Wood. He was then drafted by the Air Force and sent to the University of California Los Angeles to train as a meteorologist. After leaving the Air Force, he worked as an engineer in Arizona and New Mexico until starting his own engineering firm in 1963. Mr. Krause hasn't lost his sense of humor, when asked what was the most difficult part of building the Trestle he responded, "Too many bosses."