Leading Owen Industries’ rise to global prominence, advancing steel innovation and strengthening the engineering profession
Inducted 2026
Robert “Bob” Owen earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1966. After
graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy in Japan from 1966 to 1968, achieving the rank of ensign lieutenant junior grade. When he returned home, Owen joined the family business as an assistant structural shop superintendent. From there, his career grew into more than half a century of leadership, helping build Owen Industries Inc. and Owen Holdings into major forces in the steel industry.
Owen’s civil engineering background gave him a comprehensive understanding of the business his grandfather purchased in 1937. Working alongside his father and brother, he helped acquire companies, establish steel service centers and expand the organization’s capabilities. A pivotal moment came in 1984 with the acquisition of the Lincoln Steel Company, which opened new opportunities in bridge fabrication and related services. This purchase also unified the company’s operations under a single name: Owen Industries Inc.
Under Owen’s leadership, the company became known for specialized processes such as oversized tube cutting, nuclear-compliant manufacturing and operating one of the world’s largest stretch-leveling machines. The business has since grown internationally and now employs more than 400 people, supplying major clients including John Deere, General Motors and Union Pacific Railroad. Today, Owen serves on the board alongside his son, who leads the company.
A registered professional engineer in Nebraska and Iowa, Owen has contributed to the advancement of civil engineering through both his company’s innovations and his service in professional organizations. He has been active in the American Institute of Steel Construction, the Society of American Military Engineers Omaha chapter and the Central Fabricators Association, serving on boards and committees in multiple capacities. In 2009, he received the Robert P. Stupp Award for Leadership Excellence from American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) for his significant contributions to advancing the use of structural steel in the construction industry.
Owen has also been a loyal supporter of Iowa State University, including as a member of the Order of the Knoll Campanile Society, and has provided AISC steel manuals for department courses.