On a private nature preserve in the hills of West Virginia, a steel chair overlooks the South Fork South Branch of the Potomac River. Standing as a testament of the passionate conservationist who passed away at age 40, Mark Mueller is remembered for dedicating his life to preserving land and enjoying nature. In 2022, Mueller’s family sought a unique way to honor his spirit and life’s work—a memorial that would blend into the surrounding landscape and stand strong for generations to come.

Conceptualization of an intricately designed steel chair took shape. The forged joinery of each piece reflects the timeless artistry and the soul of traditional blacksmithing. From the rivets, punch holes and bent section of steel, the story of Mueller’s life is beautifully told through a sculpture. The chair is affixed to Mueller’s gravesite, welcoming those who come to take time to sit and reflect.

The fabricator sought a protective solution that would coat the steel members and maintain its strength many years down the road. After consideration of different coating protection systems, hot-dip galvanizing stood above the rest due to its ability to withstand the elements and provide long-term, maintenance-free protection for generations down the road. Just as Mueller’s memory would be preserved in the lives of family and friends, hot-dip galvanizing ensured that the chair would remain unscathed. The ability of hot-dip galvanizing to flow into the tiniest of crevices, sealing each fold and flap, and offering complete coverage was another reason why this coating protection system worked flawlessly.

Each component of the chair memorial was welded with custom attachments and spacers to maintain structural integrity throughout the entire galvanizing process. This required the fabricator and galvanizer to communicate and adapt to the design so that the product maintained a perfect finish. Carefully placed gaps in the design allowed zinc to flow through and coat the structure in its entirety. Other paint methods would not be able to perform this kind of coverage.

This project stands as a testament to the strength of relationships and trust in business partnerships. While proximity played an important role in this project, it was the strong connection between the galvanizer and the customer that truly solidified this collaboration. Recognizing the importance of this construction to the community, the galvanizer made a meaningful civic contribution by offering a discount on the project. This would further strengthen this partnership into the future, such like the steel that would be standing strong for decades to come.

Executing this project required careful planning and precise execution, and the galvanizer rose to the challenge, delivering a quality product that surpassed expectations. Their willingness to support the project's vision highlights the mutual benefit of their partnership and the galvanizer’s commitment to excellence.

The Chaise Lounge Memorial will be standing for nearly 100 years down the road due to the decision to incorporate hot-dip galvanizing. Just as Mueller left a permanent impact on his environment, hot-dip galvanizing safeguards this tribute, reinforcing the message of resilience and remembrance for the community to reflect on.