Leonard A. Bihler, 73, of Arlington Heights, co-founder and former president of B+A Engineers Ltd., Chicago, died of cancer Thursday, April 4, in his vacation home in Fennville, Mich. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Mr. Bihler graduated from Elmhurst High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After his military service, Mr. Bihler received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1950. He worked as an engineer in Chicago before co-founding a company in 1976. Mr. Bihler specialized in the mechanical design of heating and ventilation systems for commercial, industrial and large facilities that included schools and hospitals. “He took in a lot of interns here,” said his former administrative assistant, Rhonda Garrett, who added that Mr. Bihler was an adjunct professor at several schools, including the University of Chicago, ITT Technical Institute and the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1972 to 1984. At ITT, Mr. Bihler taught mechanical engineering to architecture students, including Hosaang Lee, who ended up working for Mr. Bihler. Lee said the opportunity allowed him to eventually establish his own company. Mr. Bihler sold his company in 1999 and retired. He is survived by his wife, Vanida; two sons, Kurt and Jeffrey; a sister, Alverne Rabe; and a granddaughter. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights.
