Dr. Richard Klingner earned his Ph.D. in structural engineering from the University of California, Berkeley in 1977. He joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin that same year.

Dr. Klingner researches dynamic response of structures and earthquake-resistant design of masonry and reinforced concrete structures. He also studies fastening to concrete. Dr. Klingner is a leader in the development of modern building codes of earthquake-resistant masonry structures. Techniques developed by Klingner and his colleagues are now widely recognized, and helped masonry structures in the Los Angeles area withstand the 1994 Northridge earthquake. His work has been instrumental in the development of modern design provisions for anchorage to concrete.