Atkinson Receives Lundt Award

OBERLIN, Ohio – Richard “Rick” Atkinson is the 2025 recipient of the Thor Lundh Quarrier Award from the Natural Stone Institute.

Atkinson, the fourth generation of his family to work at Stony Creek Quarry in Bradford, Conn., inherited the helm from his uncle, and over the past 45 years has carried forward a legacy of craftsmanship, safety and mentorship.

The quarry’s pink granite has been a key part of projects such as the Statue of Liberty Museum, Columbia University and the Smithsonian.

Atkinson is recognized by his peers as both a protector and a pioneer. He has consistently placed safety and sustainability at the forefront of the operation. In 2005, Stoney Creek earned an MSHA Certificate of Safety, and in 2018 became the third quarry worldwide to achieve Gold certification for NSI 373 Sustainability of Natural Dimensional Stone.

The award was established last year and named in honor of Thor Lundh, founder of Norway-based Lundhs AS to celebrate visionaries who modernize quarrying practices, take courageous risks and elevate the global natural stone industry.

 “Rick’s commitment to quality and sustainability echoes the same principles that guided Thor Lundh throughout his career,” said Frank Nordby, CEO of Lundhs AS. “It’s an honor to see the spirit of global collaboration that Thor championed continue through leaders like Rick.”

The award was presented during the recent NSI study tour in Georgia.