of Kerrville, TX
September 13, 1931 - August 29, 2024
- Obituary
- Guestbook
Roy was born September 13, 1931 in Richmond, Indiana. He grew up in Minneapolis and attended the University of Minnesota where he received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Civil Engineering. Roy then attended the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where he earned his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in 1960. Upon graduation, Roy was hired by the University of Illinois as a faculty member in their Civil Engineering Department. In 1970, he was recruited and hired by the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas in Austin. Roy was an accomplished researcher and a favorite professor with the many students he taught over his 42-year career. He was instrumental in bringing national recognition to the Department of Civil Engineering at UT, which is now ranked fourth overall in the United States.
Throughout his career Roy received many awards and held leadership roles in professional societies while actively teaching and mentoring students. Some of Roy's professional accomplishments include: the Huber Research Prize, the Croes Medal, the Norman Medal, the ASTM Hogentogler Award (twice), and his invitation to deliver the Terzaghi Lecture. In 2003, he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. However, to Roy, his greatest accomplishment was seeing the successes of his former students. Many have become well-respected and influential leaders in geotechnical engineering.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Roy was an acknowledged expert witness in many court cases. He also enjoyed working as a consultant on various engineering projects.
In his personal life, Roy pursued mountain climbing, especially Longs Peak at Estes Park, Colorado (occasionally with willing student proteges). He also enjoyed running the Capital 10K's, jogging, ballroom dancing with Vicki, and hosting student parties in their home.
Roy spent his last years with his wife, Vicki, by his side. He filled his time writing biographies, memoirs, traveling, and striving to live his best and most fulfilling life.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Roy Edwin Olson, Sr. and Hester Elizabeth Nelson Olson of Minneapolis, MN; his sister, Sue Ellen Olson Nelson Peggs, of Los Angeles, California; and his first wife, Joan Barrett Bertine Olson, of Champaign, IL (1964).
Roy is survived by his wife of 39 years, Vicki Ray Olson; his children, Sandra Lee Christian, Cheryl Ann Jann, and Chresten E. Olson; his stepdaughters, Grace Ray Peterson and Linda Ray Myers; his grandchildren, Laura Morrison, Ruben C. Guevara, John M. Christian, Dominic A. Jann; and seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to the Roy E. Olson Endowment Fund at the University of Texas, or to their charity of choice.
A celebration of Roy's life will be planned for a later date.
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4 Condolence(s)
Shin-Tower Wang
Austin, TX
Monday, September 23, 2024
I was able to meet Professor Olson almost every year in the annual events hosted by CE Dept., including attending the recent 2024 distinguished lecture in the campus. In my 43 years of impressions and memories of Prof. Olson, he always treasured the CE department and all the graduated students in the geotechnical engineering field as his family and close friends. His smile and calling my name every time we met truly warmed my heart with gratitude and appreciation. Prof. Olson is a highly respected and world famous scholar, and one of the strong Pillars supporting the CE Geotechnical Program at UT Austin. His immense knowledge in soil mechanics and a great teacher with clear and solid teaching have inspired us for decades. I am indebted to him for his loving care and will miss him greatly. Shin-Tower Wang (1981-1986 at UT Austin)
Bill Isenhower
Austin, TX
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
I first met Roy Olson during the summer of 1973. I had signed up for his class in summer school and the university co-op did not have a textbook for the course. I went by his office and told him that there was no book in the co-op and ask him if that was correct or if the co-op had lost his book order. He assured me that we did not have a textbook for the course and that he would be handing out a set of notes to study from.He was very friendly and smiled when I said goodbye. I did not realize then, but this was the first out of eight courses that I took from him , three undergraduate and five more as I earned my masters and PhD. He was my favorite professor. He enjoyed being around the students and many of my happy memories are of him telling great stories at parties and in class. He usually had an anecdote that would illustrate every major point he was teaching. He made it very easy to remember what he taught you. He was a great friend and mentor.
- Bill Isenhower
Steve Margolin
Austin, TX
Sunday, September 8, 2024
To Vicki and family:
I am so sorry to hear about Roy’s passing and I know how much he will be missed. He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor and I always enjoyed our visits. He will be missed by many.
Steve
Bill Isenhower
Austin,
Thursday, September 5, 2024
I first met Roy Olson during the summer of 1973. I had signed up for his class in summer school and the university co-op did not have a textbook for the course. I went by his office and told him that there was no book in the co-op and ask him if that was correct or if the co-op had lost his book order. He assured me that we did not have a textbook for the course and that he would be handing out a set of notes to study from.Ue was very friendly and smiled when I said goodbye. I did not realize then, but this was the first out of eight courses that I took from him , three undergraduate and five more as I earned my masters and PhD. He was my favorite professor. He enjoyed being around the students and many of my happy memories are of him telling great stories at parties and in class. He usually had an anecdote that would illustrate every major point he was teaching. He made it very easy to remember what he taught you. He was a great friend and mentor.
- Bill Isenhower