F&R proudly celebrates our 145th anniversary today! From a small single-chemical laboratory and coal mining consulting firm in Richmond, VA, we have grown into a leading multidisciplinary consulting firm serving clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. As we mark this milestone, we honor our history, recognize the key individuals who shaped our narrative, and look ahead to new opportunities.
Our story began on October 26, 1881, when Henry Froehling, M.D., Ph.D., a German-born chemist, established a chemical laboratory and coal mining consulting firm on East Main Street in Richmond. More than two decades later, in 1904, Dr. Andrew Robertson, a Scottish-born chemist, joined the firm. With that partnership, the company took the name we carry today: Froehling & Robertson. The firm was later incorporated in Virginia on October 11, 1924, with offices in Richmond, Baltimore, MD, and New York, NY.
In 1929, Samuel H. Sheib, M.D., Ph.D., became the first of three generations of the Sheib/Proctor family to lead F&R. Over the next decade, the company expanded beyond its original chemical consulting roots, adding physical testing services for cement, bituminous materials, steel, and timber. As client needs evolved, so did our capabilities. In the following years, F&R entered non-destructive testing, soil and foundation investigations, and geotechnical engineering, building a reputation for technical excellence and trusted expertise.
Mimi Sheib Proctor, daughter of Dr. Samuel Sheib, owned and operated the firm from the 1970s to the early 2000s, leading the company before women commonly did so in any industry. Under her guidance, F&R weathered the severe economic downturns of the 1970s, 1980s, and 2000s that significantly impacted AEC companies nationwide. Her work helped position the company for long-term success.
During this time, F&R also further expanded its services and physical footprint. The 1970s saw the opening of new branches, and the firm moved its headquarters to our current location on Dumbarton Road. In 1987, the firm began offering environmental consulting services. With these services in our portfolio, the F&R team was ready to support our project partners by helping them navigate the new federal laws and hazardous waste cleanup mandates that emerged during this time.
Today, F&R is a technologically advanced organization, far removed from its origins as a single-chemical laboratory yet firmly rooted in the core values that have sustained us for nearly a century and a half. We now operate 11 branch locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and are supported by a team of 325 professional engineers, environmental scientists, technicians, and support professionals. Third-generation family leadership continues with Samuel S. Proctor, owner and Chief Operating Officer.
“Although Dr. Froehling started this company 145 years ago, I feel certain he would embrace F&R’s core values that drive our work and have sustained our business today. As a young man, I watched my grandparents and parents carry these values forward, and leading F&R as the third generation in my family is an honor.
“On our 145th anniversary, we celebrate more than our firm’s longevity. We also honor our incredible team, clients, and industry partners who have been part of our shared history. We thank you all and look ahead to the years leading up to our sesquicentennial.”
Here’s to many more years of Stellar Client Service and Stellar Service Delivery at F&R!
Enjoy a more detailed F&R timeline in this special anniversary video:
